(she/her)
Hello, my name is Sandra Hart. My pronouns are she/her. I am a licensed therapist (LCSW) based in Los Angeles. I provide therapy via Telehealth to residents all over California. I have had the honor of working with individuals, children, adolescents, and families for over 20 years, supporting them during some of their most challenging times. I have a calm, soft-spoken voice. I use humor. I believe honest, respectful conversations create meaningful relationships. I listen closely with an ear bent towards understanding and connecting. I do my best to keep an open mind, knowing that every person experiences the world differently depending on personal experiences, identities they embody, and ancestral knowledge.
The first session is an opportunity for us to learn whether we are a good fit for working together. I will ask you to share your reasons for coming to therapy. You will have a chance to ask me questions about how I practice therapy, my background, training, and experience. Together we will discuss whether I can offer the support and structure you are seeking from therapy. During our initial session, please take time to think about whether you feel comfortable speaking with me. Our relationship will be important to the success of our work together. Sharing feelings and personal information involves vulnerability. It is important that you feel safe with me in order to do this work.
I provide genuine, compassionate listening and curiosity. When we listen to one another, we provide the opportunity to connect as human beings. This allows us to meet one another on a deeper level of understanding. When I was 13 years old, I struggled with an eating disorder. Fortunately, there were a few people in my life who understood my struggle and knew how to support me. With their love and understanding, I was able to recover. Since that time, I have seen the profound impact listening can have when someone shares a vulnerable part of themselves and is met with acceptance and understanding. I am an advocate at heart. Everyone needs someone who believes in them in this complex, fast-paced world. I am committed to resisting and challenging injustice of all kinds. I believe sharing stories of real-world experiences and putting these lessons into practice is our best hope for opening the doors of social justice.
I work with people wanting support with life transitions, family relationships, peer relationships, loneliness, anxiety, obsessive/compulsive thoughts, trauma, and sexual and gender identity development. I have assisted people through pregnancy/postpartum adjustment, physical illness, grief, anxiety, depression, identity exploration, school challenges, work stress, personal trauma, and systemic trauma such as racial, sexual, and/or gender-based oppression. I enjoy helping folks take steps toward living lives that represent and celebrate their authentic, unique self.
Relational
I use a variety of relational approaches including attachment theory, trauma theory, narrative theory, feminist theory, and queer theory. Each of these approaches emphasizes building a compassionate relationship with yourself, knowing your strengths and limits, and learning emotional and physical regulation skills so you can show up in relationships without feeling depleted. A relational approach with children involves joining children in their natural curiosity and wondering about the world they live in.
Narrative
I love stories and storytelling. Narrative therapy involves looking closely at the stories and the people who have populated our lives to shape who we are today. Narrative therapy involves considering the influence of family, culture, media, and society on how we come to understand and know ourself. Narrative therapy includes conversations about socially constructed identities such as race, sexuality, gender diversity, social class, body shape, and physical abilities. Our work together emphasizes building awareness about social norms, while helping to find your voice and purpose in creating a more diverse world based in creativity. I want you to feel supported and confident in making meaningful decisions for you and your loved ones.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Understanding the cyclical relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors provides important insight into why we do the things we do. Following the threads of our thoughts, feelings and behaviors exposes the patterns and habits we automatically fall into without this awareness in mind. Cognitive behavior therapy is effective when we are feeling stuck and trapped under the weight of upsetting thoughts of self-blame, guilt and shame.