Practitioner record · Checked 9 Oct 2026

Elma "Samantha" Quintero has been in practice 16 years and is licensed in California. Elma lists relationship issues, grief and self esteem among 20 subjects on the BetterHelp roster.

Everything below is either quoted from Elma's own BetterHelp listing, taken from public licensing records, or written by Maker Therapy and labelled as such. Nothing here is an availability promise, a review, or a rating.

16years in practice
20subjects listed

01 · Who Elma works with

Elma works with relationship issues, grief and self esteem

Elma lists 5 specialisms and 15 further focus areas. Specialisms are the subjects Elma chose to list first, which is the closest a listing gets to “this is my actual practice”.

Specialisms
  • Relationship issues
  • Grief
  • Self esteem
  • Career difficulties
  • Coping with life changes
Also experienced with
  • Abandonment
  • Attachment issues
  • Body image
  • Caregiver issues and stress
  • Communication problems
  • Divorce and separation
  • Forgiveness
  • Guilt and shame
  • Isolation / loneliness
  • Money and financial issues
  • Mood disorders
  • Panic disorder and panic attacks
  • Self-love
  • Women's issues
  • Workplace issues

02 · In Elma's own words

What Elma says about the work

Reproduced in full and unedited - not summarised, not tightened, not rewritten in a house voice.

Culturally Aware, Compassionate Care

“I understand how family, culture, and language shape our experiences, and I strive to create a supportive space where you feel fully seen and understood.”

I’m a licensed clinician in California, and for the past 16 years I’ve had the privilege of supporting people through many different seasons of life. Over the years, I’ve worked with clients facing relationship struggles, grief and loss, career stress, self-esteem and motivation challenges, as well as those navigating major life changes and transitions.

I believe you are the expert of your own story. My role is to walk alongside you-to listen, encourage, and help you recognize the strengths and possibilities that can guide you forward. My hope is to create a safe, compassionate space where you feel supported in exploring what matters most to you.

Taking the first step toward therapy takes courage. I’d be honored to walk with you in a compassionate and supportive space as we work toward your goals together.

Elma "Samantha" Quintero, on the BetterHelp listing · read 9 Oct 2026

03 · What happens next

From this page to a first session

Elma practises through BetterHelp, so the route in is BetterHelp's. This is that sequence, written by Maker Therapy from the platform's published process - not a description of Elma's own practice, and not a promise about how quickly anything happens.

  1. A questionnaire, not a booking form

    BetterHelp opens with a set of questions about what you are dealing with, what you want from therapy, and any preferences on the therapist. You are not booking Elma at this point.

  2. Naming Elma specifically

    BetterHelp matches algorithmically by default, so asking for Elma is a step you have to take. There is a field for requesting a specific therapist during sign-up, and you can switch afterwards from your account. Starting from a link on this page does not by itself assign you to Elma.

  3. If the caseload is full

    You will be offered somebody else rather than put on a waitlist. Worth knowing, because it is easy to assume a match is the person you asked for.

  4. The first conversation

    A first session is typically history and orientation: what brought you, what has been tried, what you want to be different. It is also where the questions in the next section belong.

  5. If the fit is wrong

    Changing therapist on BetterHelp does not need a reason. A first session that does not click is common and is not a verdict on therapy. That option existing is the main practical difference between a platform and a private practice.

04 · Before you commit

2 questions worth asking Elma

Built from what Elma actually lists, so they are answerable and specific rather than generic. Maker Therapy's, not Elma's - Elma has not seen them and is under no obligation to answer any of them.

  • “With 16 years in, what has changed most in how you work?”

    Long experience is only an advantage if it has been examined. This tends to surface whether it has.

  • “How do you handle the gap between sessions if something comes up?”

    On BetterHelp this varies a great deal by therapist. Better to know the rhythm now than to discover it on a bad week.

05 · Practical details

Credentials and licensing

Credential
LCSW
Licensed in
California
Licence
CA LCSW 132349
Licence number
132349
Licence expires
31 Jul 2027
NPI
1790662245
Years in practice
16
Gender
Female
Languages
English
International clients
Accepted
Listed since
15 May 2026

06 · Provenance

Where every line on this page came from

Elma's name, credential, state, subjects, approaches and biography are read from BetterHelp's therapist roster, which Maker Therapy re-reads once a day; this page reflects the reading taken on 9 Oct 2026. The licence number and NPI are cross-checked against public registers.

The plain-English method descriptions, the first-session walkthrough and the questions are written by Maker Therapy and labelled as such wherever they appear.

Maker Therapy is not BetterHelp, does not take bookings, and has not met Elma. There are no reviews or ratings on this page because we have no way to verify one. If you start therapy through a link here, we may be paid a commission - it does not change your price and it does not affect who appears here or in what order.

Report this listing

If this listing is you and you do not want it here, tell us and it comes down straight away.

The listing disappears as soon as you press this. We only use your email to reply if we need to.

Something on this page wrong or out of date? Report it and it will be checked against the source.

Maker Therapy is user-supported - when you start through our links we may earn a commission from BetterHelp at no extra cost to you.