Marco Guillen, LMFT

Marco Guillen is a California-licensed LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) with 20 years of clinical experience working with people facing addictions, relationship difficulties, family conflict, and anger management. He has provided care in clinics, hospitals, and schools and applies a blend of practical, evidence-informed methods to address issues such as drug and alcohol addiction, process addictions, impulsivity, communication problems, and midlife or workplace concerns.

He approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, tailoring conversations and treatment plans to the individual needs and goals of the client. His therapeutic toolkit includes Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, solution-focused strategies, and feedback-informed treatment to help clients build coping skills and make sustainable changes.

Fluent in English and Spanish, he works with individuals, couples, and families on challenges ranging from smoking cessation and mood symptoms to isolation, forgiveness, and relationship repair. He emphasizes collaborative work - supporting and empowering clients as they take the steps toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Therapeutic approaches adapted for online care

Marco Guillen draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and develop concrete strategies for mood symptoms, panic, and addictive behaviors. He also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills - approaches that can be especially helpful for impulsivity, anger, and relationship conflict. Motivational Interviewing is another frequent component of his work; it focuses on exploring personal values and strengthening a client's own motivation to change, which is often useful when addressing substance use and quitting behaviors.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process. Marco collaborates with each client to select and adapt methods based on the client’s needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Marco can take place by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility to fit varied schedules and life demands. These options make it easier to maintain regular contact, continue work through transitions, and access therapy from different locations while working with a licensed professional.