Hello! My name is Marcela Atayde, and I am a seasoned mental health therapist with over two decades of experience aiding individuals of all ages. Born in Mexico, I bring a rich cultural perspective to my practice and am proudly bilingual, fluent in both Spanish and English. This allows me to connect with a diverse range of clients and create a welcoming, inclusive environment for healing and growth.
My specialization lies in diagnosing and treating a spectrum of conditions, including ADHD, Autism, PTSD, and depression/anxiety. Additionally, I provide support for those navigating non-traditional relationships, fostering a safe space for exploration and growth.
Throughout my career, I've been committed to fostering self-discovery and empowerment in my clients. I firmly believe in the innate potential within each individual and strive to remind them of their own strength and capabilities. My therapeutic approach revolves around encouraging autonomy and self-reliance, empowering clients to make decisions based on their own insights and free will.
A core principle of my practice is celebrating victories, regardless of their size. Recognizing and acknowledging progress is vital on the journey of healing and personal development. By celebrating each step forward, I aim to instill confidence and motivation in my clients, empowering them to continue their journey toward fulfillment.
My dedication extends beyond traditional therapy sessions; I serve as a supportive guide, offering encouragement and guidance every step of the way. With my compassionate support, clients are empowered to explore their identities, overcome challenges, and embrace their true selves.
In summary, I am not just a therapist but also a trusted ally on the path to self-discovery and healing. Through my expertise, empathy, and unwavering support, I help clients unlock their full potential and live authentically.
Professional experience
21 yrs in practice
LGBTQ+RelationshipsTrauma, AbuseDepressionADHD
Additional areas of focus:Addictions, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Attachment issues, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Communication problems, Control issues, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Immigration issues, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Self-harm, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Marcela Atayde. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
From the beginning I felt immediately comfortable with Marcela. She is kind, compassionate, knowledgeable and humorous. I initially connected with Marcela with the aim of having only a few sessions to tackle a specific issue, however I have decided to continue with Marcela for the long run. I feel seen, heard and understood without judgment in all aspects of what we speak about and always end our sessions feeling 10 X lighter.
Written on Feb 17, 2025 after therapy with Marcela for 4 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, and coping with life changes
Marcela is a lovely lady that is real in a supportive way. She is really flexible and really helps understand and provides interventions that actually are attainable to me. Marcela is amazing at the work she does and is an amazing person. I would 10000% recommend her to anyone :)
Written on Feb 01, 2025 after therapy with Marcela for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Marcela has been an amazing therapist I’ve only had a couple sessions with her but she definitely help me ease my mind
Written on Feb 01, 2025 after therapy with Marcela for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
Marcela is a caring professional! I highly recommend her!
Written on Nov 21, 2024 after therapy with Marcela for 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, and intimacy-related issues
Changed my whole outlook on getting help for myself, I’m glad I reached out to better help and am very thankful I got matched with Marcela. She has helped changed my life around for the better. Very grateful better help has people like her to help in times of need!
Written on Sep 16, 2024 after therapy with Marcela for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, and adhd
Four stars, a quality person and therapist, she seems to understand me and my concerns, thank you for taking the time to listen and support me Marcela.
Written on Jul 24, 2024 after therapy with Marcela for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
My experience in my sessions with Marcela in regards to my diagnosis and guidance was really "life changing". I'm deeply grateful and satisfied.
Written on Jun 22, 2024 after therapy with Marcela for 4 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, and sleeping disorders
Marcela is great! She has helped me through one of the most difficult times of my life. I appreciate her insight and willingness to understand me and my problems. Everything I'm learning is applicable to my situation, and I leave every session feeling like I have a plan to move forward. :)
Written on Apr 23, 2024 after therapy with Marcela for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
She's great. She's helped me through a lot these past years.
Written on Jan 30, 2024 after therapy with Marcela for 1 year on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Marcela is very kind and courageous she offers advice that really helps and finds ways to make you feel like you are not alone. She is a talented healer with words I strongly recommend her if you are looking for a comforting therapist and one who is knowledgeable.
Written on Oct 17, 2023 after therapy with Marcela for 1 year on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Amazing ❤️❤️❤️
Written on Jun 21, 2023 after therapy with Marcela for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and coaching
I started my counselling journey with Mercela. The journey have been amazing.
She is so easy and friendly to talk to. My problems were front variety of fields. She helped me a lot identify and help get solutions.
She was a blessing for me.
Written on May 10, 2023 after therapy with Marcela for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, anger management, and adhd
I appreciate the sincerity and nurturing attitude about change
Written on Mar 21, 2023 after therapy with Marcela for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, sleeping disorders, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Marcela is very kind and understanding. She listens carefully to what my problems are, then offers her best advice using her life experienses as examples. She deserves an A+ and 5 gold stars ❤️
Written on Feb 12, 2023 after therapy with Marcela for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, and coping with life changes
Not only caring but quite knowledgeable, Marcela is an gifted therapist!
Written on Jan 21, 2023 after therapy with Marcela for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion
Marcela is really easy to open up to, she seems to understand me and finds ways to empathize and give advice
Written on Jan 03, 2023 after therapy with Marcela for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder
I have had a few therapists through my lifetime and nobody has ever listened or cared like she has. She didn't make me feel like I was less of a person and used her own experiences to better help me. I've never had someone be so positive towards me or my life as much as she has and I would take her as a therapist any day of the week. She is checked in on me she makes sure I'm okay and she's very understanding of my situations outside of therapy. She is the absolute best therapist!
Written on Dec 16, 2022 after therapy with Marcela for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, grief, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Marcela is so reassuring and that really helped me get through a rough event as well as work out my long term problems.
Written on Dec 15, 2022 after therapy with Marcela for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, eating disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
Marcela is a really positive, personable therapist. I look forward to my meetings with her.
Written on Dec 08, 2022 after therapy with Marcela for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, and coping with life changes
She is just the best... even just a casual chat makes me feel better instantly. Her voice is soothing and she is so gentle! She totally understands me and I always look forward to the next session
Written on Nov 09, 2022 after therapy with Marcela for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and anger management
Marcela has been amazing to talk things out with. She is genuinely interested in what I'm going through and has provided great council and guidance where needed.
Written on Oct 08, 2022 after therapy with Marcela for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, and relationship issues
Great person, she makes it really easy to talk and get things out that you need. Not everything is so serious she knows when to joke and make light of things. 10/10 would recommend
Written on Sep 08, 2022 after therapy with Marcela for 4 weeks on issues concerning lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and adhd
Marcela is easy to talk to and has a positive outlook on life ! I’ve been enjoying my sessions with Marcela and look forward to growing with the help of therapy!
Written on Sep 06, 2022 after therapy with Marcela for 4 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues
I’ve had a few sessions with Marcela and it is the first time I ever felt heard and validated by a therapist. Since then I have gained more confidence in my healing journey and feel really excited to continue on.
I would recommend Marcela without a doubt!
Written on Aug 24, 2022 after therapy with Marcela for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
Amo la atención que me da y la seguridad y confianza que me transmite.❤️
Written on Aug 24, 2022 after therapy with Marcela for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, and self esteem
I wish it was possible to keep my therapist for long term. I love her so much!
Written on May 19, 2022 after therapy with Marcela for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
Marcela has helped me more in a couple of sessions than all my past therapists combined. It was fantastic to get matched with someone who truly understands my background and struggles. I’ve been able to immediately apply Marcela’s tools and techniques so that I’m literally making progress every day. I’ve already recommended her to my queer friends and look forward to every session with her!
Written on May 11, 2022 after therapy with Marcela for 2 weeks
Would you like to write a review for Marcela Atayde?
Your review of Marcela Atayde would be greatly appreciated.
We will share your review with Marcela Atayde, and it may be posted on our website, Marcela Atayde's profile, or used in online marketing. To protect your identity, your name will not be associated with the review. Posts may be edited to remove identifying information.
Please provide a review for Marcela Atayde
Thank you for submitting a review
Your feedback is very important, and we'll carefully review it to continue improving the therapy experience for everyone who uses BetterHelp.
Cookie Consent
We process personally identifiable information ("PII") and personal health information to conduct our business and provide you with effective service as described in our Privacy Policy. Some data processing and sharing is required for our product to function and cannot be disabled. If you click 'I Agree', we may also share PII with third party advertising partners to deliver more relevant ads and with analytics partners to improve our services. To learn about who we share your data with and why or to opt out, go to Sharing Settings.
