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My name is Maria Cristina Bartlett and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 8 years of experience in the Mental Health field. I am based in the Los Angeles area and work with clients statewide via telehealth. I have experience working with adults performing counseling and emotional support to help navigate relationships and life stressors. I am also bilingual in Spanish and have conducted therapy in Spanish.
My approach
My approach to therapy is collaborative based on the needs of each client I work with. I most frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focus, and depth psychotherapy, as these modalities help me build a shared understanding of their world and allow collaborate work together towards working through difficult periods through building skills, and instilling hope which allows them to feel better and develop a more positive outlook in life.
My focus
I have found that my style and approach are a good fit for adults who may be dealing with the challenges of life transitions, relationship problems, and social pressures. This often takes the form of anxiety, depression, and stress.
My communication style
My communication style My communication style is respectful, sharing empathy and supportive listening. I want my clients to feel comfortable to share and talk to me about their lives and difficulties without the fear of judgement.
My journey to mental healthcare
My journey to becoming a therapist started when I took my first psychology class. I became drawn to the field due to my own life challenges that I had overcome. I have always been the person my friends would come to for help with their personal difficulties. I realized during this class that my life had centered, very much, on helping others and having the spirit of service, especially, helping others through difficult times. My experiences as a mother with children with unique challenges, as a military veteran, a child and later spouse of a veteran, and a child growing up within two distinct cultures provide a diverse and additional experience that has also influenced my decision to become a therapist.
My goals for you
My approach to goal setting with clients is what they want to accomplish, therefore, setting goals is a collaborative work in which you determine what you want to accomplish, set goals, and track your progress. Our work together starts by building a space of safety to develop the comfort of being in therapy and building a relationship of trust between us.
My first session with you
You can expect our first session to be focused on talking about what you have been feeling. In this first session, I will be asking questions to better understand why you are feeling the way you have been, and what you hope to achieve by coming to therapy. You are the expert of your life and the driver of your experiences. I view my role as the navigator to help you towards the discovery of the best version of yourself and the direction you want to go.
