Meet dr. Eileen santaella, psy.d.

Email: esantaella@carolinatherapysolutions.com

Phone: (919) 817-8051

Dr. Santaella emphasizes the importance of a strong genuine therapeutic relationship, self-care, and self-compassion. She provides a space where clients can feel safe being authentic and vulnerable. Dr. Santaella encourages and supports each of her clients to utilize introspection to gain insight into their well-being through evaluating and recognizing your strengths, stuck points, and potential blindspots to begin creating lasting change.

Therapeutic Approach and Specialization

Dr. Santaella has extensive training in a wide variety of the most well-known evidence-based therapeutic models in psychology.  She values creating personalized treatment plans based on you as a unique individual with your personal history and presenting problem. More specifically, she integrates a range of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Trauma Focused CBT (TFCBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). She is also a Certified Yoga Teacher, Certified in Trauma Conscious Yoga Method and enjoys helping the her clients seek positive change and new possibilities.

experience and clinical passion 

Dr. Santaella is passionate about working with individuals and couples across the lifespan. Her experience includes working with a wide range of presenting problems including crisis management, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic disorder, trauma-related disorders, PTSD, grief and loss, relationship issues, social skills, behavioral issues, ADHD, and personality disorders.

Dr. Santaella has particular interest in working with her clients on how the impact of childhood trauma affects mental health and development. She also enjoys treating clients struggling with PTSD, intimate partner violence, cultural issues, the LGBTQAP+ community, and personality disorders. 

Additionally, Dr. Santaella has experience conducting individualized assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. She has experience conducting comprehensive psychological assessments across a wide range of presenting concerns including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, and to address emotional, psychological, and behavioral funcitoning. She worked in a variety of settings conducting multidisciplinary and psychological evaluations to provide diagnostic clarification and inform treatment goals.

Dr. Santaella loves spending time in nature, hiking, camping, traveling, painting, dancing, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Are you ready to make a change in your life? Contact us now.

Dr. Santaella’s Specialties

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) 

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Education and Training

Dr. Santaella graduated with her doctorate in Clinical Psychology for APA-Accredited Carlos Albizua University, in Puerto Rico. Dr. Santaella completed her doctoral internship at Marshall University School of Medicine. She has experience working in outpatient and partial hospitalization settings, with women survivors of domestic violence, and has extensive training treating trauma and PTSD. Dr. Santella held a teaching assistantship teaching graduate students Assessment of Personality. Dr. Santaella has conducted group therapy for individuals struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder. Dr. Santaella is trained and experienced in conducting comprehensive full battery psychological assessments and utilization of evidence-based models for effective, scientifically backed treatment.

Professional Membership and certifications

  • Intensive Trauma Treatment Certification Workshop: EMDR, CBT and Somatic­Based Interventions to Move Clients from Surviving to Thriving

  • Trauma Conscious Yoga Method Certification

  • Mindfulness Certification

  • Secretary of the Gender & Sexual Diversity Organization (August 202-May 2021)

  • Community Advisory Board Mental Health Awareness Training Program (August 2019-May 2021)

  • Coordinator and Moderator of Holistic Health Prevention Summit (April 2019-January 2020)

  • President of Student Association of Clinical Psychology (August 2018-May 2019)

Interested in a free 15-minute consultation with dr. santaella?

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