Octave
Malena Puentes avatar
LMFTshe/her

Malena Puentes

VirtualHigh Satisfaction Rate

18 years of experience

Verified by Octave

Licensed

In California

In-Network

Accepting 6 Insurance providers

Meet Malena

I use an eclectic approach that creates a safe, healing space that includes the client’s needs. I soundly believe that if you can change your thoughts, you can change how you feel and improve the overall quality of your life. We are meant to have fulfilling lives. My goal is to assist clients recognized the strengths that they naturally hold while helping them feel encouraged and supported through this journey of personal growth. I believe therapy is a journey of self-discovery of one’s underlying issues and an opportunity to see the unique potential of resiliency and empowerment they hold. It is never too late to regain control of your life and gain the utmost self-awareness.

I soundly believe that if you can change your thoughts, you can change how you feel and improve the overall quality of your life.

Communication Style

  • Action-oriented
  • Challenging
  • Direct
  • Empowering
  • Holistic

Specialties & Approaches

Specialties

Experienced with

  • Asian / Pacific Islander community
  • Black community
  • Indigenous Americans
  • Geriatric clients
  • First responders
  • Immigrants
  • Blended families

Approach

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
  • Couples [Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT)]
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Relational
  • Solution-Focused
  • Strengths-Based

Licensed In

Locations

Virtual appointments available for California residents

Good to know

Session Details

Practices in

Languages

Additional

Interests

I enjoy going on hikes and nature walks, golfing, dancing, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.

Insurance Accepted

Credentials & Verification

Verified by Octave

License number

#40839 • California • LMFT

Education

BA - Psychology, University of California Riverside BA - Social Relations, University of California Riverside MS - Marriage, Family, Child, and Couples Therapy, University of California Riverside

Malena Puentes, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist License #40839 (exp February 2028)

Calculate Cost & Insurance

$28

/ session on average with insurance

What insurance do you have?

Frequently asked questions

Malena Puentes accepts Blue Shield of California, Prime Health, Anthem Blue Cross of CA, Out-of-State BlueCard PPO, Aetna, and Health Net. Octave clients pay an average of $28 per session through insurance, and more than 95% pay less than $45 per session. Your exact cost depends on your plan’s copay or deductible. You can use the cost estimator to see what you would pay before your first session. If you would rather pay out of pocket, self-pay sessions in California are estimated at $205-250 per session.

Malena Puentes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Malena is licensed to practice in California, so clients located in California can book sessions. Malena’s California license number is 40839, and you can look it up through the state licensing board. Octave verifies every therapist’s license before they begin seeing clients, and licenses are kept current as a condition of practicing with Octave.

Malena Puentes has been practicing therapy for 18 years. Malena’s education and training include BA - Psychology, University of California Riverside; BA - Social Relations, University of California Riverside; MS - Marriage, Family, Child, and Couples Therapy, University of California Riverside. Over that time, Malena has worked closely with Asian / Pacific Islander community, Black community, Indigenous Americans, Geriatric clients, First responders, Immigrants, and Blended families. Octave therapists average more than a decade of experience, and Malena is part of that group.

Malena Puentes works with Asian / Pacific Islander community, Black community, Indigenous Americans, Geriatric clients, First responders, Immigrants, and Blended families and specializes in Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, Divorce, Family Therapy, Grief, Panic, Relationship Concerns, Stress, Women's Issues, and Workplace Stress. These are the areas where Malena spends most of their clinical time. Malena also sees families together in joint sessions. If the concern you want help with isn’t listed here, a Care Navigator can tell you whether Malena is a good fit or match you with another Octave therapist who specializes in it.

Malena Puentes draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i), Couples [Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT)], Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Relational, Solution-Focused, and Strengths-Based. In sessions, Malena’s style is action-oriented, challenging, direct, empowering, and holistic. In Malena’s words: “I soundly believe that if you can change your thoughts, you can change how you feel and improve the overall quality of your life.”

Malena Puentes (she/her) offers therapy in English and Spanish. Malena identifies as Hispanic/Latinx.

Malena Puentes offers online sessions over secure video, so you can meet from home or any private space. Malena is licensed in California, and you need to be located in that state at the time of each session. All you need is a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.

Your first session with Malena Puentes is a chance to talk through what brought you to therapy and what you want to work on. Malena will ask about your background, your current concerns, and your goals, and together you will start shaping a plan for your sessions. It is also a chance to see whether Malena’s style feels like a good fit for you. After their first session, 9 in 10 Octave clients say their therapy experience has been good or better.

Learn how ratings and reviews work

Octave regularly asks clients to select a rating based on their experience about their provider about their therapy sessions. Providers are prohibited from soliciting reviews from their clients.

Only clients who have completed a session with this provider can leave a rating for them.

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