Licensed to practice in California and accepts 22 insurances. Specializes in Depression, Life Transitions, Grief and 7 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hello, my name is Melisa Santacruz. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the states of California and Florida, and have been practicing for 7 years. My work focuses on supporting individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, professional stress, parenting challenges, relationship concerns, self-esteem struggles, and life transitions. I specialize and am trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, Person-centered (Rogerian) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I am proficient in Spanish and English.
My style is warm, intuitive, and affirming. I offer insight alongside an unconditional presence, creating a space where you feel welcomed, valued, and truly seen. I believe healing begins with safety and connection, and I strive to meet you exactly where you are.
I have extensive experience working with survivors of sexual abuse and providing trauma-focused therapy. I guide clients in learning how to slow down, observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment, and become more aware of patterns that affect their behavior. From there, I integrate DBT skills such as emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help clients respond more intentionally rather than react impulsively.
“What’s next?” is often a question we ask ourselves when we feel stuck, lost, disconnected, grieving, or navigating life’s changes. I am here to help you explore those uncertain and unfamiliar places. My goal is to create a safe, calm, and compassionate space where you feel truly seen and heard, so you can move forward in your personal growth journey. Healing can feel scary and uncertain, and it can also be deeply empowering and rewarding. You don’t have to do it alone.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cash - $120 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Arlo
Blue Cross
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
Evernorth
GTEB
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Scripps Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I approach DBT from a balance of (radical) acceptance and change, validating clients’ emotional experiences while also helping them develop practical tools to manage intense emotions and improve behavioral patterns.