Amanda R. Santiago, LCSW
Psychotherapist in Albuquerque, NM
Life-Changing Therapy Options
Psychodynamic Therapy
A general definition of psychodynamic theory is that forces outside of a person’s awareness explain why they behave a certain way, or psychodynamic therapy focuses on the psychological roots of emotional suffering. Its hallmarks are self-reflection and self-examination, and the use of the relationship between therapist and patient as a window into problematic relationship patterns in the patient’s life.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is sought after most often when someone in the family has experienced psychological or emotional problems experienced by a single family member. Therapy is designed to focus on the interaction between family members. Family therapy is helpful for dealing with responses from problems such as divorce or remarriage. It’s also great for helping people who may not feel comfortable with individual therapy.
Couples Therapy
In couples therapy work, it’s the relationship which becomes the primary focus, as the couple and therapist work together to figure out what each partner brings to the relationship in question. With couples therapy, by working with me, you will discover and develop methods to help better understand each other more effectively about the issues within the relationship and between one another.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy can be a vague term, so to help better understand what I focus on during individual therapy sessions; ultimately I help you deal with issues that are hard to face alone. This can include mental health, personal feelings towards yourself or others, denial, fears, financial struggles, addiction, abuse, anger, stress, and many other relatable issues people face in their daily lives.
About Amanda
Are you struggling with your relationship? Are you looking to better communicate with your partner, kids, and/or family members? Do you want to build a healthy relationship with yourself? Let’s work together on your goals!
I am an LCSW with 12 years of clinical experience working with adults, children, pre-teens, adolescents, couples, and families. My clinical specialties include helping those faced with issues of attachment, anxiety, depression, family cohesiveness, family reunification, adoption, incarceration, and trauma.
I approach my clinical work from a relational perspective which draws from attachment theory, structural family therapy, and object relations. I am intrigued by the dimensions of the client-therapist relationship, with a particular focus on the impact and use of transference and counter-transference within the clinical process.