Licensed to practice in California and accepts 73 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Grief and 8 more.
(he/him)
Good day to you, my name is Mario Palacios I am a LMFT. I have been a therapist for over 25 years. I have had my practice since 2011. In that time, I have learned and have continued to learn what it takes to become a more effective therapist. During this time, I have treated many people with various issues/challenges that have resulted in positive outcomes. The most important impact for me is being able to see when my client has been able to make changes in their lives where they have improved themselves, found more clarity and continue to seek more improvement.
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin building a foundation for meaningful therapeutic work. We’ll start by discussing what led you to seek therapy at this time—whether it’s a specific concern, a recurring pattern, or a general sense that something in your life or relationships isn’t working the way you want it to. I’ll ask questions to understand your history, current stressors, and the goals you hope to work toward. This helps me get a full picture of your experiences and how they’re affecting you today. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as feels comfortable; many clients take time to open up, and that’s completely normal. I’ll ask questions to learn about your current concerns, how long they’ve been affecting you, and what patterns you’ve noticed in your reactions or relationships. We’ll explore how certain situations trigger emotional responses, what thoughts show up in those moments, and how those thoughts influence your behavior. You don’t need to prepare anything in advance—just come as you are. We’ll also talk about how therapy works. I’ll explain my approach, what sessions typically look like, and how we can collaborate to create a plan that fits your needs. If communication challenges, anxiety, relationship concerns, or past experiences are part of what you’re navigating, we’ll begin identifying the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors connected to those issues. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer sense of what our work together will involve and how therapy can support you. My goal is for you to leave feeling understood, grounded, and confident that you have a safe place to explore whatever you’re facing.
Having worked with my clients over the past 25 years, I have been able to become a great listener/communicator. I become very attuned, empathetic and will validate what the client is going through. I may not know exactly what they are going through but I will do my best to understand what they are going through and what is the best course of action to help them improve themselves. A core strength of my work is helping clients feel safe enough to explore difficult experiences, including childhood patterns that continue to shape their relationships today. I pay close attention to how past learning influences present reactions, especially in communication, conflict, and emotional expression. Clients often tell me they feel understood in a way that helps them make sense of long‑standing struggles. I also bring a strong focus on communication. I help clients break down what feels overwhelming—whether it’s expressing needs, addressing unresolved issues, or navigating emotional distance—and teach them concrete tools such as I‑statements, cognitive reframing, and behavioral strategies that support healthier interactions. My sessions balance empathy with accountability. I listen deeply, but I also challenge clients when avoidance, fear, or old patterns are getting in the way of growth. I help them build confidence, practice new skills, and take small, manageable steps toward the relationships and emotional stability they want.
My ideal client is someone who is ready to better understand themselves, improve their relationships, and create meaningful change in their life. They may be struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, unresolved trauma, grief, life transitions, or relationship difficulties that have begun to impact their mood, daily functioning, or sense of purpose. Many of the individuals I work with find themselves caught in patterns of overthinking, people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, or repeatedly entering unhealthy relationships. They may carry unresolved experiences from childhood—such as criticism, emotional neglect, or punishment for expressing feelings—that continue to shape how they show up in their adult relationships. They notice patterns like overthinking, shutting down during conflict, or prioritizing others’ emotions over their own. They want healthier interactions but feel overwhelmed by the emotional weight of trying to change long‑standing habits. My ideal client is reflective, open to exploring how past experiences influence present behavior, and willing to practice new skills outside of session. They value honesty, emotional growth, and building stronger connections with partners, children, or family members. Their goals often include improving communication, reducing anxiety, strengthening emotional safety in relationships, and becoming a more present, intentional partner or parent. Above all, my ideal client is someone who wants to feel understood, supported, and empowered to create meaningful change in their life—one conversation at a time. My ideal client does not need to have all the answers or know exactly what they need from therapy. The most important quality is a willingness to engage in the process with openness, curiosity, and honesty. Therapy can be challenging at times, particularly when exploring painful experiences or long-standing patterns, but growth often begins with the courage to look inward.
Cash - $185 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Blue Shield of California - Medi-Cal
Blue Shield of California - Medicare
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
CalViva Health (Medi-Cal)
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Centivo
Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Gold Coast Health Plan Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Health Net (Commercial)
Health Net (Medi-Cal)
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
IHSS Healthy Workers
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)
San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Scripps Health Plan
SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP)
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Sutter Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression is a type of psychotherapy that modifies thought patterns to change moods and behaviors
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is especially effective for people who have difficulty managing and regulating their emotions. DBT has proven to be effective for treating and managing a wide range of mental health conditions
Grief counseling is a type of professional therapy designed to help you work through the various stages and range of emotions you may feel after a loss.
Solution-focused brief therapy can be helpful for a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship issues and coping with changes in life.
Family systems therapy is helpful to learn about who we are now, how family life /environment contributed to the choices, our outlook in life, how we are in relationships, and more importantly how self esteem/confidence is rooted in family dynamics.
8 ratings with written reviews
June 17, 2026
Didn't feel like there was a connection came off to sharp and rigid with me felt uncomfortable with him.
March 27, 2026
Mario is a loving and caring gentleman. In our session I felt welcomed, and as if I could talk about what was making me uncomfortable without fear of being judged. It has been challenging for me to find a person I can open up or with whom I can feel understood but Mario is a perfect fit. I can’t stop looking forward to our next sessions.
December 19, 2025
I am a burnt out care giver. He has experience helping people like me. Looking forward to our next session.