Nurture hope and healing. Cultivate connection and joy.
Holistic mental healthcare for children, teens, and families.
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to learn more.
Miranda and her beloved pup, Ruby
Miranda Santisteban
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
When I’m looking for a therapist, I enjoy learning about their story and what makes them who they are. My hope is that sharing a little about my life will help you decide if I’d be a good fit for you.
I am the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants. My cultural roots are a mix of Filipino, Chicano and Southern Californian. Though my family didn’t have a lot of money when I was a child, we were rich with connection to our community; surrounded by the foods, traditions, music and unique love languages of our ancestors. I grew up in Los Angeles, spending much of my time with my grandparents and extended family, which I’m so grateful for. Despite the privilege of community, I still had to learn to manage the emotional ups and downs that often come with being a 1st generation and low-income household. It also wasn’t until after graduate school that I learned I had ADHD.
I struggled socially from elementary through high school. Though I was a bright student, the dream of going to college seemed so out of reach. Without financial support or guidance, it was hard to see a future of success and security. In early adulthood, I faced several challenges that left me feeling lost and alone. Somehow, I survived long enough to find hope again.
As a young adult, I worked full-time and sometimes several jobs at a time to put myself through junior college, then through undergrad. The momentum from those successes helped me reconnect with my strengths as a trauma survivor and ignited my passion to help others who might be feeling isolated and hopeless. At that point, I decided to pursue grad school to become a therapist.
Leaving my family, friends, and everything familiar behind, my husband and I made the 18 hour drive from Los Angeles to Seattle to start a new chapter. We rescued my sweet Great Dane, Ruby (now almost 12 years old) and had our first child. I started my graduate program at 5 months postpartum, had another baby half-way through school, and graduated in 2019.
Being a therapist and a business owner has been so fulfilling and a great source of pride and accomplishment for me. When I’m not with clients, I spend my time being a mother, crafting, planning travel adventures, gaming with my kids, eagle spotting, reminiscing on growing up in the 90’s, discovering new music and taking in the beauty of the PNW.
My personal and professional experiences help me find deep empathy, understand the importance of practical solutions, and are a pathway to authentic human connection with my clients. If my story resonates with you, schedule your free consultation here.
Keep scrolling to learn more about my educational and professional background.
Education and License
BA in Urban Planning and Sustainability, Cal State University Northridge, (2012)
MA in Couples and Family Therapy, Antioch University Seattle, (2019)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Washington State #LF61604656
Experience
Compass Health, Dawson Place Child Advocacy Program 2018-2019 (Clinical Intern)
Miranda Santisteban Therapy PLLC, Child and Family Therapist 2019-present (Owner, Clinician)
Clinical Work
self-esteem
anxiety and panic
depression
anger
generational trauma
racial/cultural issues
school avoidance
peer conflict
neurodivergence (ADHD/Autism/PDA)
divorce (*not court-ordered therapy)
job-related stress
oppositional defiance
boundary setting
adoption
teen issues
emotional, sexual, physical abuse
life transitions
self-harm/suicidality
Millennial issues
burnout
social justice issues
high-achieving students
relationship conflict and repair
parenting and discipline
trauma
sibling relationships
parent-child relationship
children of immigrants
family conflict
Parenting children with disabilities
child therapy ages 5-17
current events and political distress
Treatment Modalities
I use a variety of frameworks to help clients make sense of and process their problems, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Play-based (Adlerian)
Creative and Expressive Arts
Narrative Therapy
Anti-oppression
Collaborative Proactive Solutions - Ross Greene
Trauma-informed
Attachment Focused
Family Systems
Humanistic
Neurodiversity Affirming
Solution-focused
Somatic/Sensory Processing
What to Expect
a holistic assessment of your concerns (family dynamics, sensory needs, environmental factors, social, medical and psychological factors)
clear goals and a plan of action
parent involved care (written consent for parent involvement is required for children over age 12)
relevant tools and strategies to use at home
collaboration with other professionals you work with (teachers, health care providers, etc.)
FAQs
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Therapy can be expensive. Here are some options:
I offer a limited number of reduced fee options, be sure to ask during your consultation!
Use superbills to get partial reimbursement through insurance (if you have out-of-network benefits)
use a site like www.openpathcollective.org that offers therapy as low as $60 per session
If you have insurance, you can use www.psychologytoday.com to filter for providers who are in-network. You can also contact me for referral options.
Utilize free crisis resources for urgent matters (dial 988 for resources near you).
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Similar to adult therapy, child therapists create intentional spaces that are fully accepting, welcoming and affirming. Therapists also use specific verbal and body language to help kids feel safe, trusted, and in control. In addition, children benefit from validation, creative and playful ways to express emotions and ideas, and unconditional positive regard.
Some children benefit from directive (or guided) therapy where they learn about their feelings and coping strategies. Others benefit from the ability to make choices and have power over what happens in session. During your intake appointment, we will discuss the specific goals you have for you child and what you can expect during their time with me.
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Yes! As a parent, you have an important role in your child's progress in therapy. I encourage and enjoy parents participation in their child's therapy. There may be times where parent-child sessions would be more beneficial than individual sessions and vice versa.
Children ages 13-17 must sign a release to have other individuals (including parents) present during their sessions.
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Many factors can impact how you benefit from therapy including finding a therapist that's a good fit and what your goals and expectations are. Progress looks different for each person. Some people feel better after only a few sessions and others might take several months .
Here are a few ways to know if you're on the right track:
you feel comfortable with your therapist
you feel heard and understood most of the time
you look forward to your sessions
you feel like you are gaining something from your sessions overall (insight, tools, validation, reassurance, a sense of calm etc.)
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My caseload at any given time is about 1/2 kids and teens, 1/4 individual adults and 1/4 couples. Some therapists specialize in certain issues or populations. In my experience, I feel more balanced and energized when I have a variety of clients with different needs.
I do have specific issues that I care deeply about and have specialized training and lived-experience in: neurodivergence in kids and teens, children who have experienced trauma or abuse, BIPOC and multicultural identity, and Millennial women's issues.
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This term was coined by Judy Singer in 1998 to express the idea that all brains develop in unique ways. The whole of all humanity is neurodiverse (all of our brains are part of the spectrum of information processing and development). Neurodivergent individuals have brains that work in ways that most people's don't. Some diagnoses that are considered neurodivergent (ND) include Autism, ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, dysgraphia and many others.
"Neurodiversity affirming" means that in my work, I don't see people's diagnoses, differences, abilities and needs as inherently 'bad' or needing to be fixed. I have an underlying assumption that my clients, inclusive of their neurotype, are good and whole as they are. I will not try to make my clients conform to 'neurotypical' expectations, unless they specifically set that goal for themselves.
Neurodiversity affirming means that I will always allow accommodations in our sessions to make sure my client's sensory needs are being met. It means that I will continue to learn from other ND professionals on how to provide the best support for my ND clients.
As a neurodivergent person myself, my lived experience allows me to connect with my ND clients in a way that can help them feel truly understood. While I'm not the expert on all forms of neurodivergence, my training and background in anti-oppression therapy includes anti-ableist practice and awareness and I am open and accepting of all people's experiences.