geometry-shapes iconStress / Mental Stress / Work Stress, Grief, Anxiety, Life Transition, Trauma / PTSD, Women’s Issues
Online in New Mexico
8 years in practice
Ages served: 11-65+
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Accepted insurance & self-pay

Marlene Tabitha accepts 25 insurers
Aetna
Aetna Medicare Advantage
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Anthem
Cigna | Evernorth
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico | Blue Advantage HMO | Blue Preferred PPO
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico | Blue Community HMO
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico | Medicare Advantage
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico | PPO PAR POS FEP HMO
Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)
Christus Health Plan Exchange
Christus Health Plan Medicare Advantage
Cigna | Evernorth - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network
First Health Network
HealthSpring | Medicare Advantage
Humana Medicare Advantage
JP Farley Corporation
Medicare NM
Multi Plan PHCS
Poppins Health
Quest Behavioral Health
UMR
United Healthcare | Optum
United Healthcare | Optum - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
United Healthcare | Optum Medicare Advantage
Uprise EAP
SELF-PAY COSTS
Out-of-pocket session costs for clients who don’t have insurance or aren’t covered by their insurance for mental health services.
$200
first session
$170
subsequent sessions
About Provider

About Marlene Tabitha

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 8 years of experience supporting adults, adolescents, and families through life’s challenges. I specialize in depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, relationship concerns, stress management, and women’s issues. My goal is to provide a warm, safe, and collaborative space where you can explore your experiences, strengthen your coping skills, and begin creating meaningful and lasting change.


I earned my master’s in social work from Boise State University. My style is conversational, compassionate, and client centered. I integrate cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solution-focused strategies, mindfulness-based practices, and strength-based approaches to help clients build insight and develop healthier patterns.


Life can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate it alone. I aim to support you with empathy, understanding, and genuine care. Together, we will work to uncover patterns, process emotions, strengthen your self-awareness, and move toward a more balanced, fulfilling, and empowered life. I look forward to supporting you on your journey

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"As someone who values empowerment, I teach my clients to reclaim their voice and self-worth. I offer a space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported without judgment. My approach is conversational, helping clients feel comfortable opening up and exploring their experiences at their own pace."

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Get to know Marlene Tabitha

Why did you decide to become a counselor or psychiatric provider?

I became a social worker-therapist because I am deeply moved to see people’s capacity to heal and grow. I want to help others reclaim their voice and build lives that feel authentic and sustainable.

What types of clients do you work best with?

I work best with adults and children, with a particular focus on women navigating life transitions. I also support clients dealing with anxiety, trauma, grief, stress, school issues, and college-related concerns.

What's one thing you wish all clients knew about therapy, mental health, or the healing process?

One thing I wish all clients knew is that healing is a journey, not a quick fix. Therapy is a safe space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences at your own pace, and it’s okay to take small steps toward change. Growth often happens gradually, and even when progress feels slow, each session is an opportunity to build self-awareness, resilience, and the tools needed to live a more balanced and fulfilling life.

What can clients expect in their first session with you and in the early stages of therapy

In the first session, clients can expect a warm, welcoming space where we focus on getting to know you, your experiences, and your goals for therapy. We’ll discuss your current challenges, gather background information, and begin identifying patterns or areas you’d like to work on. In the early stages, we focus on building trust, exploring your thoughts and emotions, and developing practical strategies to cope with stress, anxiety, or life transitions. The goal is to create a foundation for lasting growth and a collaborative plan tailored to your needs.

What personal experiences or values inform your practice as a therapist/provider?

My practice is informed by my personal values of empathy, authenticity, and empowerment. Having witnessed how life transitions, trauma, and loss can impact well-being, I understand the importance of creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for clients to explore their experiences. I am passionate about helping clients reclaim their voice, build resilience, and develop the tools they need to navigate challenges with confidence and self-compassion.

How do you tailor therapy to meet each client’s unique needs?

I tailor therapy by taking the time to understand each client’s unique experiences, goals, and challenges. I use a collaborative, conversational approach, combining evidence-based techniques such as CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and strength-based strategies to fit each person’s needs. Together, we identify patterns, develop practical coping skills, and create a personalized plan that supports growth, healing, and meaningful change in their daily life.

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Other areas of focus

SpecialitiesStress / Mental Stress / Work Stress, Grief, Anxiety, Life Transition, Trauma / PTSD, Women’s Issues, Relationships, School Issues, Self Esteem, Sleep / Insomnia, Social Anxiety, Step-Family / Blended Family Issues, Mood Disorders, Neurodiversity, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Attack, Parenting, Peer Relationships, Performance Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum, Racial Identity, Hoarding, Impulse Control Disorders, Infertility, Depression, Infidelity, Developmental Disorders, Internet Addiction, Divorce, Dual Diagnosis, Family Conflict, Caregivers, Career Counseling, Chronic Illness/Pain, Codependency, Coping Skills, ADHD, Agoraphobia, Antisocial Personality, Autism, Behavioral Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
ApproachesTrauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Psychodynamic, Psychotherapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Reality Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Strength-Based Therapy, Structural Family Therapy (SFT), Trauma-Focused, Positive Psychology, Multicultural, Narrative, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Person-Centered Therapy, Play Therapy, Humanistic / Rogerian, Integrative, Existential Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Experiential Therapy, Interpersonal, Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Expressive Arts, Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems, Feminist, Bibliotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Culturally Sensitive, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Art Therapy, Attachment-Based, Behavioral Therapy
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Education and training

Years in practice
8 years
Graduating institute
Boise State University
Graduating degree
Masters in Social Work
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Additional details

Languages spoken by this provider
English
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State of practiceNM
Practice location

Practice information

Book your first session

Individual Counseling
Marlene Tabitha is available for Video visits.
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Marlene Tabitha Cantu

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)she/her