- Guilt and shame focus
- ACT and CBT methods
- English and Spanish
About Christian
Christian Maciel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 25 years of clinical experience. He works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, and concerns around self-esteem and guilt and shame.
He uses straightforward conversation to help people name what feels wrong and what they want instead. Sessions often focus on clearer communication, emotional regulation, and practical ways to handle upsetting memories or recurring relationship patterns. He speaks English and Spanish.
Christian draws on several evidence-informed methods, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, attachment-based ideas, client-centered work, cognitive behavioral tools, and skills from dialectical behavior therapy. He blends these to match what an individual needs in the moment rather than following a single formula.
In session he helps people notice patterns born from early attachment or abandonment experiences, then practices alternative ways to respond. For someone carrying guilt or shame he will look at the feelings, the beliefs that keep them active, and steps to reduce their daily impact.
Christian also addresses longer-term stressors such as caregiver strain, chronic illness, body image concerns, codependency, and separation after divorce. He keeps the work practical - skills to try between sessions and short experiments that test new behaviors.
People who start here can expect a steady, problem-focused approach that combines talking, skill practice, and attention to how past wounds show up now.
Approaches that guide online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing painful thoughts and feelings and choosing actions that reflect personal values. It can help when guilt or shame keep someone stuck or avoiding life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches concrete skills to test and change unhelpful thinking patterns. It is useful for anxiety, low mood, and persistent self-critical beliefs. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early relationships shape current trust and closeness. It helps when abandonment, attachment wounds, or relationship patterns fuel shame.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to figure out which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That can mean trying one approach for a few sessions and shifting if needed, or blending techniques from different models to address immediate problems and underlying patterns.
Confirm the available session formats before booking because the biography does not list specific delivery methods. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, shorten commute time, or allow brief check-ins when longer in-person visits are difficult. Therapists trained in these approaches often assign short exercises between meetings, which can be done at home or during a break at work to support steady progress.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he help with related to guilt or shame?
He works with guilt and shame alongside depression, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma, and low self-esteem.
How does he approach feelings of guilt?
He uses practical methods from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and cognitive behavioral approaches to notice unhelpful thoughts and try different responses.
What is his professional background?
He has 25 years of clinical experience as a therapist and has worked with a range of emotional and relationship issues.
What are his credentials and location?
He is an LMFT practicing in California.
Can I work with him in Spanish or from another country?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish. He does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm current session options before booking since the biography does not list specific formats.
How are costs handled?
Fees vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.