Marco Guillen, LMFT

Marco Guillen is a licensed marriage and family therapist practicing in California. He brings 20 years of experience to sessions and focuses on practical steps people can use to change patterns that cause pain. Marco speaks English and Spanish and aims to meet people where they are. He began his career supporting people with addictions and later worked across clinics, hospitals, and schools. That background gave him experience with drug and alcohol concerns, process addictions, and smoking or vaping cessation. Over time he added work on relationship struggles, family problems, anger, and self-esteem. Marco uses straightforward, goal-oriented methods. He draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. He also integrates client-centered listening and dialectical skills to manage strong emotions and improve day-to-day coping. Sessions are collaborative and shaped to each person’s needs. Marco emphasizes clear goals, practical strategies, and short-term steps that build momentum. He also uses motivational approaches when people are weighing change or dealing with ambivalence. People who meet with Marco often want concrete tools for communication, impulse control, workplace stress, or mood and panic symptoms. He focuses on small, achievable changes and supports people as they practice new skills between sessions.

How Marco’s Approaches Work Online

CBT focuses on noticing thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and testing new ways of thinking and acting. It is useful for anxiety, panic symptoms, mood concerns, and habits like smoking or process addictions. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathic listening and helping people set their own goals; it supports motivation and clearer decision-making. Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills that help when anger, impulsivity, or relationship conflict are present. Choosing the right mix of approaches is part of the process. Marco will work together with each person to identify priorities, try specific techniques, and adjust the plan as progress and feedback indicate. That collaborative process helps tailor sessions to what actually helps day to day. Online sessions offer practical flexibility. Video calls let the therapist and client work face to face for skill coaching and behavioral experiments. Phone sessions can be easier when fewer technology requirements are needed or when a shorter check-in fits the day. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for brief updates, practicing skills between meetings, or checking in when typing feels more comfortable. These options make it easier to keep regular contact and practice new habits in everyday life.