Keila Santiago Cruz
My name is Keila Santiago, and I am a bilingual mental health therapist originally from Puerto Rico. After spending the last 11 years living and working in Massachusetts, I relocated to Orange Park, Florida, at the end of 2025. My diverse personal and professional experiences have shaped my passion for helping individuals, couples, children, adolescents, and families navigate life challenges and discover their strengths.
I believe that healing is not simply about reducing symptoms; it is about helping people create more meaningful, authentic, and connected lives. As a bilingual mental health therapist, I strive to provide a warm, supportive, and collaborative environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to create positive change.
With over 10 years of experience in mental health and human services, I have worked extensively with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families facing a wide range of challenges. My professional background includes coordinating services for individuals with mental health conditions and special needs, as well as providing therapy to families involved in child welfare cases. In this role, I supported families working toward reunification while addressing concerns such as child verbal, physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, substance use, family conflict, and emotional regulation.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Human Services, a Master's degree in Educational Leadership, and a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. I have also completed training in Alcohol and Drug Counseling, which further strengthens my ability to support individuals facing substance-related challenges.
My areas of focus include anxiety, depression, ADHD, self-esteem, lack of motivation, life transitions, communication difficulties, relationship challenges, family conflict, couples counseling, and faith-based counseling for those who wish to incorporate their spiritual beliefs into the therapeutic process. My therapeutic approach draws from Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy, allowing me to tailor treatment to each client's unique needs and goals. Clients often describe me as empathetic, direct, encouraging, and engaging. I believe therapy works best when clients feel actively involved in the process. While I value structure and goal-setting, I also incorporate creative and interactive techniques that help clients feel comfortable, gain insight, and develop practical tools for everyday life.
As a Puerto Rican woman, wife, mother of two, business owner, and woman of faith, I understand the many roles and responsibilities people balance throughout life. These experiences help me connect with clients from diverse backgrounds and better understand the challenges they face. Being fluent in both English and Spanish allows me to serve and connect with individuals across cultures, including the Hispanic, bilingual, and English-speaking communities. In my free time, I enjoy working as a professional photographer, exploring new places, hiking, taking walks, reading, spending quality time with my family, and, of course, enjoying a good cup of coffee. These activities help me stay grounded, creative, and connected to the people and experiences that matter most.
Whether you are struggling with anxiety, relationship concerns, family issues, self-confidence, or life transitions, my goal is to help you recognize your strengths, build resilience, and move toward the life you envision for yourself. I am passionate about helping clients discover what may have felt out of reach, overcome barriers, and find confidence in their ability to grow, heal, and thrive.
