https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/get-started daily 0.75 2026-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1633729963920-L3NVYHY0BLXIEEYZSQR1/kitties.jpeg Your Insurance It is important that you contact your insurance company before you meet with me to inquire as to whether they will reimburse you for our sessions You should be aware that insurance plans generally limit coverage to certain diagnosable mental conditions. You should also be aware that you are responsible for verifying and understanding the limits of your insurance coverage. https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/home daily 1.0 2026-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/3f786590-a43b-4387-a10a-7e8dd2fc3472/NEW+PICTURE+OF+ME.JPG Home - Make it stand out Maria DeAlba, LMFT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/d6f928b1-a094-45c5-b2b6-70c112e95936/Paseo+Nuevo+mall.jpg Home - Find Support in Santa Barbara & Online Throughout California Located in the heart of Santa Barbara, I provide in-person therapy for local clients and secure telehealth sessions for individuals throughout California. Whether you prefer meeting in person or from the comfort of your own home, therapy is available in a way that fits your needs and schedule. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how therapy can support you or your family. https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/contact daily 0.75 2024-11-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1632762958782-LV6AJK4I7K7414NYJJ2C/balboa_building.jpg Contact - Make it stand out Street parking available: Free 75 minute You also have option of parking in the Paseo Nuevo Mall parking lots for 75 minutes free and $3.00 there after. Our sessions are typically 50 minutes in length. https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/team daily 0.75 2026-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1633734014286-NXVYBRRZSQWUK1E0OJXU/funny+faces.png About Me - Make it stand out Hola! https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/services daily 0.75 2026-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1647651057848-J82X660U9BUVMJS1G679/unsplash-image-OAnydGhhcxE.jpg My Practice - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1647651159454-GA7CH4XWRIEL9U167N2K/unsplash-image-sNwnjxm8eTY.jpg My Practice - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/online-counseling daily 0.75 2026-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1635371137541-PA75XZP5RGU7ODNEXB42/unsplash-image-C11UKrFo4CQ.jpg Telehealth - Video Conferencing and Phone Sessions Telehealth sessions provide a convenient way to receive therapy from the comfort of your own space while maintaining the quality of care. Benefits include increased access to services and flexibility in scheduling. Telehealth may not be appropriate for all concerns, and suitability is assessed individually at the start of each session. Telehealth carries potential risks, including technical interruptions, unauthorized access, or other unforeseen issues. I take all reasonable precautions to protect your privacy and confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and California privacy standards. Currently, I use Simple Practice and Zoom for telehealth sessions. Location Requirement: Telehealth services are generally available only to clients physically located in California. In certain circumstances, I may seek permission to provide services to clients in other states in accordance with that state’s licensing regulations. If you are outside California, please contact me to discuss whether permission has been obtained for your location. Provider Information: Maria DeAlba, LMFT #123745 – Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, California https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/teenagers daily 0.75 2024-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1635377025435-Z49RQ5SXBUMH54OWU5BV/GettyImages-1157859955.jpg Parenting Teenagers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1635378027536-GKWT42TH7CSOS09P7TWB/unsplash-image-umFPf301OjQ.jpg Parenting Teenagers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1635377141030-R0XYAUXU7DZ1FDQOE15K/unsplash-image-qQzw8jPvip8.jpg Parenting Teenagers - Make it stand out Oh, How I Miss the 80’ and 90’s! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1635379789178-3ZQWYHPFUO481PHCJG24/unsplash-image-9VJ0aNgJJT8.jpg Parenting Teenagers - The hours we once spent laughing at Beavis and Butt-Head or dancing to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air have been replaced by a 24-hour news cycle right in the palm of their hands. No pressure, right? Between screen time, academics, sports, and the endless pressure of social interactions—including bullying and self-esteem issues—teens are under a lot of stress. What’s worse is the paralyzing anxiety they often don’t talk about, but their bodies sure have plenty to say! I’m not just talking about the usual teenage worries—like whether they’ll make the team or if their crush likes them back. I’m talking about the sheer chaos of the world we live in. Our kids are genuinely freaked out by everything from the latest virus to the unhinged news coverage that feels like a never-ending horror movie. Kids today are convinced that they—or someone they love—might not make it through the next pestilence. I mean, I don’t remember a time when kids were so preoccupied with their mortality. And let’s be real, the virus isn’t the only thing causing anxiety these days. Between the violence overseas, the threats from dictators, and the realities in our own backyards—like the Isla Vista tragedy and the gang violence we hear about—it's no wonder they’re feeling overwhelmed. Back in my school days, we had earthquake drills and the classic “stop, drop, and roll.” Remember how exciting it was when someone accidentally pulled the fire alarm? (Spoiler alert: not as exciting for kids today!) Now they have active shooter drills and lockdowns, which have unfortunately become the norm. It’s a lot to handle, I know, but it’s the reality of our world today. We need to prioritize our children’s well-being, especially since teens are at the highest risk for developing mental health disorders, including substance abuse issues. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1635378440623-HJ1IQF8VFTUT9ZFP8WXW/unsplash-image-KzvMsXgJ1VU.jpg Parenting Teenagers https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/domestic-violence-men daily 0.75 2024-09-20 https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/cinema-therapy daily 0.75 2026-07-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1634847267495-VCL9SQJEW0W1VOPC4F3E/unsplash-image-J39X2xX_8CQ.jpg Cinema Therapy Sometimes a movie, a character, or a story can help us understand parts of ourselves that are difficult to put into words. Cinema therapy uses movies, characters, and storytelling as a therapeutic tool to explore emotions, relationships, personal values, and life experiences. Stories can help us see ourselves from a different perspective, recognize patterns in our own lives, and discover strengths we may not have noticed before. Have you ever watched a movie and connected deeply with a character? Maybe you saw yourself in their struggles, admired their courage, or found yourself thinking differently about a situation in your own life. These connections can create meaningful opportunities for reflection, understanding, and growth. In therapy, we may use films and characters to explore topics such as identity, confidence, relationships, overcoming challenges, managing emotions, and navigating life transitions. Discussing a character’s choices, struggles, and growth can help you gain insight into your own experiences and explore new ways of approaching challenges. Cinema therapy can be especially helpful for teens and young adults because stories often provide a comfortable way to explore difficult emotions and experiences. Sometimes it is easier to begin a conversation by talking about a character on screen before talking about ourselves. Stories have a unique way of helping us recognize parts of ourselves that may have been overlooked. By exploring the characters, themes, and emotions that resonate with you, we can uncover new perspectives, strengthen self-awareness, and gain a deeper understanding of your own journey. https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/paren daily 0.75 2024-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1635444169179-I702F1NV3TIWVZ28JGAE/unsplash-image-sCdm5DiJb8w.jpg Therapy for Parents - Make it stand out What it May Look Like https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1635445314952-APOA1QZ8IHGE3FIAZZV3/soap.jpg Therapy for Parents - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1635448367348-F3S8BVIH26EPQEN5O96S/George+Jetson.jpg Therapy for Parents - I made that quite clear when he walked in through the front door; poor guy! I mean, who wants to come home to needy kids and teens asking for money for everything after a long day of work? I can’t blame him for thinking I was living the dream while he was grinding away. I was just as guilty of underestimating his responsibilities and used to think he wasn’t doing much either. In my mind, I pictured him sitting at his computer all day, blissfully isolated in his office—no kids, no messes, no cooking! I imagined he never had to endure a 30-minute hold just to speak to someone about why our bills were mysteriously higher than usual. Did you know kids have a special talent for leaving every light in the house on? Anyway, I imagined my husband just pushing “buttons” on his keyboard, living a life straight out of The Jetsons. George Jetson sits there pushing buttons, and Mr. Spacely pops in every now and then to keep him on his toes. If only real life were that simple! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1635453668023-SY535D4M02GY0Z41VRLE/Tom+and+Jerry.jpg Therapy for Parents - I imagined it was the same for Mr. DeAlba, who was likely dodging his boss to avoid yet another round of endless conversations about numbers and deadlines. Spending hours in redundant meetings, he must have wished he could use toothpicks like Tom the Cat from Tom and Jerry just to keep his eyes open! Not to mention the relentless phone calls from patrons hurling profanities in both Spanish and English—because nothing says “customer service” like a heated debate over debt collection. So glad he works in managing peoples money now as opposed to trying to collect it. And so it went, day in and day out. Thankfully, things started to improve—just a little—as our kids got older and he landed a better job. Who knew that the key to a happier home life was simply waiting for the kids to grow up and for him to escape the clutches of corporate chaos? Then Puberty Hits! https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/single-parents daily 0.75 2024-10-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Single Parents https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Single Parents https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/fees daily 0.75 2024-11-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1702086348076-865M63ZIEX91I5KHPXJ5/image-asset.jpeg Fees https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1702086518747-3HH1BUHLGVM9R4MC62HE/image-asset.jpeg Fees https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1702086615674-P6CVOLDX6YLUVXYPH7FR/image-asset.jpeg Fees https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/for-teens daily 0.75 2026-07-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1636501071590-A67Q6HSWLM8ZFMJ4SSWA/unsplash-image-w1FwDvIreZU.jpg Therapy for Adolescents https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1636501174307-M677T3BC0O0JEQ2YT4C8/unsplash-image-Jnxtlv_Fo14.jpg Therapy for Adolescents https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1636501382130-S80BZHN9PKDHM6N5JQCA/unsplash-image-x1_gmkEbsM4.jpg Therapy for Adolescents https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/new-page daily 0.75 2021-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/3b1355f0-0356-46b2-8505-e1ac1a2ab61f/Jehovah.jpg New Page - Jehovah’s Sheep For those Christians’ seeking refuge in solidarity and discernment in a therapeutic setting, there is a safe haven for you to express your feelings. I provide therapy for Jehovah’s Witnesses who desire their therapeutic experience to be in alignment with Jehovah’s principles. For Information on Jehovah’s Witnesses : JW.org https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/faqs daily 0.75 2026-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/8d8aa93d-80fa-499a-82f9-ae12305f0ae9/unsplash-image-NTur2_QKpg0.jpg FAQs - What happens during the first therapy session? Following our complimentary 15-minute phone consultation, we will schedule your first session. Before we meet, you will receive a few forms through my secure client portal, including practice policies and information to help me better understand your needs. Our first session is focused on getting to know each other, discussing what brings you to therapy, exploring your goals, and determining how I can best support you. I encourage you to ask questions so we can build a comfortable and trusting therapeutic relationship. Where do sessions take place? I offer in-person therapy sessions in my Santa Barbara office as well as secure telehealth sessions throughout California. In certain circumstances, alternative settings may be discussed based on individual needs. How do I know if therapy would be helpful for me or my teen? Therapy can be helpful when emotions, relationships, school, work, or daily responsibilities begin to feel overwhelming. Some signs that additional support may be helpful include increased anxiety, difficulty managing emotions, changes in mood, withdrawal from others, increased conflict, feeling stuck, or struggling with major life transitions. Therapy is not only for times of crisis. Many people seek support because they want to better understand themselves, strengthen relationships, build confidence, and develop healthier ways of coping. Do you work with individuals experiencing more complex mental health concerns? My private practice focuses on supporting teens, young adults, and adults experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma-related challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, and life transitions. For individuals needing a higher level of care or specialized services beyond the scope of my practice, I am happy to help connect them with appropriate resources. How often will I need to come to therapy? The frequency of therapy sessions depends on your individual needs, goals, and the type of support you are seeking. Many clients begin with weekly sessions because consistency helps build trust, develop new skills, and create meaningful progress. As we work together, we will regularly evaluate your goals and progress to determine the level of support that feels most appropriate for you. Some clients may benefit from more frequent sessions, such as twice-weekly appointments, particularly when focusing on specific skills or more intensive support. Others may transition to less frequent sessions as they gain confidence and feel ready to maintain their progress independently. How long will I need to come to therapy? The length of therapy varies depending on your individual needs, goals, and the challenges you are working through. Some clients seek support for a specific concern or life transition, while others choose to continue therapy longer for deeper personal growth and ongoing support. Many clients begin noticing progress within the first few months of consistent therapy. Throughout our work together, we will regularly check in on your goals and progress to make sure therapy continues to be meaningful and beneficial. The goal of therapy is not to keep you in treatment indefinitely, but to help you build the insight, confidence, and skills you need to navigate life more effectively. Many clients choose to return for additional support during future transitions or challenges. Do you have evening or weekend appointments available? My regular appointment hours are during weekdays. However, in certain circumstances, limited evening or weekend availability may be possible on a case-by-case basis depending on availability and the specific needs of the client. I believe maintaining balance and personal well-being allows me to be fully present and provide the best support for my clients. If an urgent need arises, we can discuss available options and determine what support may be most appropriate. How much do sessions cost? The investment in therapy varies depending on the type and length of session. Initial Therapy Session (75–90 minutes): $250 Individual Therapy Session (50 minutes): $200 Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Session (60 minutes): $220 Please contact me if you have questions about session fees or would like to discuss which type of support may be the best fit for your needs. Click here for more info on cost of therapy Are sessions covered by my insurance? I am not currently in-network with private insurance companies. However, some insurance plans offer out-of-network mental health benefits that may allow you to receive reimbursement for a portion of your therapy fees. I can provide a superbill that you may submit directly to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement. Coverage varies depending on your specific insurance plan, so I recommend contacting your insurance company to learn more about your out-of-network benefits. I accept Zelle,major credit cards, as well as FSA and HSA payment options. How do I seek reimbursement from my insurance company? If your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement for a portion of your therapy fees. I will provide you with a superbill, which is a document you can submit directly to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Each insurance plan is different, so I recommend contacting your provider before beginning therapy to understand your benefits and reimbursement process. You may want to ask your insurance company: Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits? What is my reimbursement rate for therapy sessions? Do I have an out-of-network deductible? How do I submit a superbill for reimbursement? I am happy to provide the documentation needed to support you through this process. Do you accept CenCal insurance? I currently have limited availability for CenCal (Medi-Cal) clients. At this time, my CenCal openings are not available, and I do not maintain a waiting list for these slots. https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/new-page-1 daily 0.75 2026-07-10 https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/terms-and-conditions daily 0.75 2026-03-31 https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/cencal daily 0.75 2026-07-10 https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/young-adults daily 0.75 2026-07-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ff34eb6e4ee6002b256a25/1647462831327-WPOMGFH32U9M5JWU0OKB/unsplash-image-Nv-vx3kUR2A.jpg Therapy for Young Adults - Make it stand out “The transition into adulthood is not about having everything figured out. It is about learning who you are, what matters to you, and how to navigate the world with confidence.” https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/brief-therapy daily 0.75 2026-07-11 https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/individual-therapy daily 0.75 2026-07-11 https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt daily 0.75 2026-07-11 https://www.mariadealbalmft.com/good-faith-estimate daily 0.75 2026-07-10