Rated 4.8 stars out of 5, 60 ratings

Nisha Saintelus-Deratus

LPC, 7 years of experience

Warm
Solution oriented
Empowering

About me

Hi! I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor enjoying what I do. I have been helping people improve their lives for over seven years. I help couples and individuals to navigate different challenges involving romantic, familial and other interpersonal relationship dynamics. I’ve been using CBT in my practice for the past five years. It’s helped so many of clients challenge reoccurring thoughts and manage their anxiety. We’ll use CBT to recognize how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other that keep you in unhealthy cycles.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session together, I'll get to learn more about you, then listen to you explain the specific challenges you're facing or what brought you into therapy. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. Together, we will create a plan on where you want your life to be a month, six months, a year from now. Then, we'll identify options and strategies you can use to get there. You'll leave your sessions with a better understanding of what you're facing with steps and skills to implement outside of your sessions. There will always be room for suggestions concerning our work together.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

As a dedicated therapist, I pride myself on being personable and approachable, ensuring that each session is tailored to your unique needs and experiences. I am committed to working closely with the BIPOC community, offering a culturally sensitive and empathetic approach to therapy. Together, we will identify the root cause of your challenges and create a tailored plan that leads to measurable progress. This plan will require your willingness to implement the therapy tools and skills we discuss to see the best results. Your journey is important, and I am here to support you every step of the way.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I love working with couples who are willing to identify areas of change in their relationship for the better. My clients are eager to improve the unhealthy cycle they are in, but yet have the tools or skills needed to make this goal a reality. Many couples find themselves in cycles of miscommunication, resentment, and unmet needs. These patterns can lead to feelings of disconnection, frustration, and even hopelessness. As a dedicated and personable therapist, I specialize in helping couples identify and understand these detrimental patterns, offering a safe and supportive space for both partners to feel heard and valued. Majority of my clients appreciate the learning and feedback that is provided in their sessions to take back and use right away.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

Anxiety

I identify as

Black / African AmericanChristian

Serves ages

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Implementing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with my clients has helped them feel empowered identifying how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have kept them stuck with automatic and intrusive thoughts. I enjoy helping people connect with their authentic selves and build a life they truly feel great about.

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

I have been using ACT to help client to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their inner emotions but instead, accept that strong feelings are appropriate responses to various situations that should not keep them from living a their full lives. Learning this helped my clients begin to accept their hardships and commit to making necessary changes in their behavior, regardless of what is going on in their lives and how they feel about it.

Location

Virtual

Accepts

Cash - $200 per sessionAetnaAetna - MedicareAll SaversAvMedBlue Cross Blue ShieldBlue Cross Blue Shield - MedicareBlue Shield (MHSA) MagellanCalViva Health (Medi-Cal)Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)CignaCommunity Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)EAP:CignaEAP:EvernorthEAP:UnitedHealthcare/OptumEvernorthGold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)Golden RuleHarvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcareHealth Net (Commercial)Health Net (Medi-Cal)Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-CalHorizonHorizon - MedicareHumana - MedicareHumana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)L.A. Care CoveredL.A. Care Covered DirectL.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)L.A. Care PASC-SEIUOptumOptumHealth Complex Medical ConditionsOscarOxfordPartnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-CalScripps Health PlanSharp Health PlanSurest (formerly Bind)Tufts Health/CignaUnited Medical ResourcesUnitedHealthcare Life InsuranceUnitedHealthcare Shared ServicesUnitedHealthcare StudentResourcesUnitedHealthcare/OptumUnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
Rated 4.8 stars out of 5, 60 ratings

3 ratings with written reviews

June 14, 2025

I was extremely hesitant on starting therapy but Nisha was very engaging, asked thought-provoking questions and put me at ease immediately. I’m glad I took the first step in my healing process and am looking forward to our next session.

Verified client, age 35-44

Review shared after session 1 with Nisha

April 30, 2025

I've had 11 sessions with Nisha so far and they have all been great and thought provoking. She helps me to understand other perspectives as well as get down into the depths of my own thoughts and emotions. We've tackled some heavy things together and the one word that could describe it all is safe. Talking about hard things can sometimes feel overwhelming or terrifying but I've only felt relief and comfort when discussing my issues. If you book her you'd be investing in your own growth for sure.

Verified client, age 25-34

Review shared after session 11 with Nisha

February 19, 2025

I felt safe and comfortable enough to share my experiences

Verified client, age 25-34

Review shared after session 2 with Nisha