Amanda Morales Salado
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 8 years of experience supporting individuals through a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, and career-related concerns. My background includes work in county systems with foster and adoptive families, as well as experience in both nonprofit and private practice settings, which has allowed me to work with diverse populations and needs. I am passionate about helping clients gain insight, build practical coping skills, and feel more confident navigating life’s challenges. My goal is to create a supportive and collaborative space where clients feel understood, empowered, and equipped to make meaningful, lasting changes in their lives.
First session
During our first session, we will focus on getting to know each other and understanding your unique goals and concerns. I will ask about your background, current challenges, and what you hope to achieve in therapy. This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the therapy process, my approach, and how we can work together effectively. We will discuss your treatment options, identify initial goals, and begin exploring strategies and tools that may help you make meaningful changes. My aim is to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you feel comfortable sharing, and by the end of our first session, you should have a clear understanding of the next steps in your therapeutic journey.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to combine empathy with practical, skills-based approaches. I tailor evidence-based methods such as CBT and DBT to meet each client’s unique needs, helping them gain insight into their thoughts and behaviors while also building concrete strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and life transitions. My diverse experience—ranging from working with foster and adoptive families in county systems to supporting clients in private practice and nonprofit settings—has equipped me to work effectively with a wide range of challenges and populations. I excel at creating a safe, collaborative environment where clients feel heard, validated, and empowered to take meaningful steps toward change. What sets me apart is my focus on both understanding the “why” behind a client’s experiences and equipping them with practical tools to navigate daily life. This balance of compassion, expertise, and actionable strategies helps clients feel supported while achieving tangible progress toward their goals.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are often navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, or feeling overwhelmed by their emotions or responsibilities. This may include young adults or professionals working through career changes, relationship challenges, or difficulties with work-life balance. I also enjoy supporting clients who are interested in building practical coping skills while gaining insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns. Those who are willing to engage in the therapeutic process—both in session and by practicing skills outside of it—tend to benefit most from my approach, which integrates structured, skills-based methods like CBT and DBT with a collaborative and supportive environment. I strive to create a space that feels safe, nonjudgmental, and empowering, where clients can feel heard while also being gently challenged to grow. Clients who are looking for a balance of validation and actionable strategies often find a strong fit in working with me.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in my clinical practice to support clients in identifying and modifying unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Through CBT, I work collaboratively with clients to increase their awareness of the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and actions. In practice, I use CBT techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and thought monitoring to help clients challenge negative or distorted thinking and develop healthier coping strategies. I also incorporate goal-setting and skill-building interventions tailored to each client’s individual needs. My approach is structured yet flexible, allowing me to adapt CBT interventions to a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress management, and life transitions. I prioritize creating a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to practice new skills both in and outside of sessions.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have experience utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in my clinical practice to support clients in developing skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. I integrate DBT principles to help clients better understand and manage intense emotions while building healthier coping mechanisms. In my practice, I use DBT-informed interventions such as teaching mindfulness techniques to increase present-moment awareness, guiding clients through distress tolerance strategies during crises, and helping them apply interpersonal effectiveness skills to improve relationships and communication. I also support clients in identifying patterns of emotional dysregulation and work collaboratively to replace maladaptive behaviors with more effective responses. My approach emphasizes validation and acceptance while encouraging meaningful change, which is central to DBT. I strive to create a supportive, structured environment where clients feel understood and empowered to practice and apply these skills in their daily lives.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 148808