Licensed to practice in California and accepts 28 insurances. Specializes in Childhood / Intergenerational Trauma, Grief, Peer Relationships and 6 more.
(she/her)
Clients say this provider is
Thank you for taking the time to review my brief profile. I hold a Doctorate in Social Work, complemented by more than 25 years of experience in healthcare and mental wellness. I have worked with many clients dealing with end-of-life, healing from grief and loss issues, depression, cultural conflicts, intergenerational and relationship stressors, work/life balance issues, and other life stressors that can potentially affect the daily living of a person. Honoring what we need is not selfish - it is an essential part of caring for ourselves, and creating a life where we can heal, grow, and thrive. I feel truly humbled and honored to meet each client who chooses me as their therapist. I also believe that a little humor can go a long way - it can bring lightness to difficult moments, strengthen connection, and remind us that healing doesn't always have to feel so heavy.
I want my clients to be open and honest about their concerns and problems in their lives. I want to help clients feel comfortable in extending their trust to me and allow me to journey with them in their healing process. I will provide compassion and attentive listening throughout the first session so that I may develop an appropriate plan of care with them.
I am a great supporter through encouragement and compassion. I love to see clients believe in their ability to succeed. I believe every client has the determination to overcome challenges, and navigate obstacles they face in life. I believe every client can grow, build confidence, and achieve their goals if they choose this route.
I work well with patients who are willing to develop a treatment plan, willing to have a solution in working with their diagnosis, and willingness to compromise on goals to help them develop confidence, independence, inner peace, self-acceptance, self-determination, and self-worth.
Cash - $200 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Arlo
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
Evernorth
GTEB
IHSS Healthy Workers
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
Scripps Health Plan
Sutter Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
Provide active listening, and encouragement in the form of feedback and working on building self-esteem and confidence in modifying behaviors.
I help clients to engage in building their own skills to achieve productive and healthier thinking patterns. I will help clients explore their thoughts and behaviors that need to be modified. I will help clients process their thoughts and help them achieve a meaningful outcome.
I am very open minded and compassionate about the cultural awareness of each individual, their backgrounds, the trauma and history that they carry under their identity. It is so important to learn about the cultures of others and how they can incorporate this important factor into their healing journey.
I have 15 years of experience in palliative and hospice care, grief and loss, and have extensive work with individuals and families in helping them cope and grieve in the loss of a loved one.
I like to provide this counseling approach as a way to teach clients about their inner strengths, and foster encouragement in helping clients develop new strategies to grow and uplift themselves.
10 ratings with written reviews
February 10, 2026
I really appreciated Sara’s approach to grief. She also helped me in understanding the importance of the relationships in my life, and how they have formed me.
October 23, 2025
Therapy with Dr. Shuffer has been above and beyond what I ever imagined! I was interested in therapy to have better emotional regulation and leave work at work but Dr. Schuffer has taught me how to advocate for myself, communicate with management, along with rebuild confidence. I would definitely recommend her to my friends.
September 26, 2025
Thank you Sara for a really good first session. I truly appreciate you listening and providing guidance during a very difficult period in my life.