Therapist profile
Sandra Terifaj, LMFT
LMFT in California - Family and relationship concerns
Continue with SandraAbout
- Stress and anxiety
- CBT and psychodynamic
- Mindfulness strategies
About Sandra
Sandra Terifaj is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 35 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, eating and mood concerns, relationship and family difficulties, grief, intimacy issues, self-esteem struggles, and life transitions. Sandra also focuses on codependency, narcissism, personality disorder challenges, and women's issues. She speaks English and sees clients in California.
Sandra uses a practical, conversational style in sessions. She listens first, then helps people name what’s most troubling. She draws on client-centered methods so the person’s goals guide the work. She also uses psychodynamic ideas to look at past patterns and cognitive behavioral tools to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
Sessions are grounded in ordinary language. Conversations include reviewing recent events, noticing patterns at home, and trying small changes between meetings. Mindfulness strategies may be offered to reduce anxiety and strengthen self-awareness. Internal Family Systems ideas can help people identify different parts of themselves that feel stuck.
Sandra has long experience supervising interns and working in nonprofit settings as well as private practice. That background informs a steady approach to complex issues such as addictions, trauma, and relationship conflict. Her work often blends short-term skills with deeper, longer-term reflection.
People who come to her can expect direct conversation about daily challenges. She helps sort priorities, practice new responses, and track progress over time. Before booking, confirm current session options and formats.
How sessions work
Therapeutic approaches and working online
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s goals and perspectives. The therapist listens closely and helps people clarify what they want to change, often guiding conversations toward practical next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It offers clear tools and exercises to test unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors that reduce anxiety or improve mood.Sandra treats the choice of approach as something to decide together. She will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences and adjust methods over time. That collaborative process helps identify whether more skills-based work or deeper pattern-focused exploration fits best.
The biography does not specify which online session formats are offered, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy household schedule, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so meetings can happen between work or caregiving duties. Therapists commonly adapt CBT exercises and mindfulness practices for remote sessions to keep progress moving even when life is full.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
Sandra works with adults around stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, eating and mood concerns, relationship and family issues, grief, intimacy problems, self-esteem, and life changes.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
She uses a conversational, client-centered style that starts by listening and setting clear goals. Sessions often mix practical skills and reflective work.
How much experience does she have?
She has 35 years of experience in private practice and in training and supervising interns at nonprofit agencies.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a California LMFT and practices in California.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list session formats. Confirm current session options and formats before booking.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with her?
Begin by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.