New to Grow
Hi, I’m Cassandra! I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University. I’ve had exciting opportunities to work in a variety of therapeutic settings including an inpatient psychiatric hospital treating a higher level of acuity, intensive outpatient program supporting teens and young adults, a residential facility working with incarcerated youth, and an outpatient program at a University counseling center.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
The first session is an opportunity to create a safe and supportive space where you can begin sharing your story at your own pace. We will explore what brings you to therapy, what feels most pressing right now, and what you hope might feel different. I will ask questions to better understand your experiences, relationships, and goals, while prioritizing a sense of comfort and trust. There is no expectation to have everything figured out. The focus is on slowing things down, gaining clarity, and beginning the work together in a way that feels respectful and aligned with your needs.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I bring a calm, nonjudgmental, and collaborative presence to therapy, along with experience working across a variety of clinical settings. My background includes inpatient psychiatric care with higher levels of acuity, intensive outpatient programs supporting teens and young adults, residential treatment with incarcerated youth, and outpatient work within a university counseling center. This range allows me to meet clients where they are with both compassion and structure. My work integrates Attachment Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I am certified in DBT and trained in Level 1 of the Gottman Method for couples therapy. I am especially attentive to relational patterns, emotional needs, and strengths that may have been overlooked or overshadowed by difficult life experiences.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal client is someone who arrives feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what needs to change. They may be navigating trauma, substance use, emotional regulation challenges, or major life transitions, and often feel caught in patterns that no longer feel helpful or aligned. I work with individuals, couples, and families who are open to slowing things down, making sense of their experiences, and building lives and relationships that feel more grounded, intentional, and connected to what matters most to them.
Attachment-based
My work integrates Attachment Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Narrative Therapy. I am certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and trained in Level 1 of the Gottman Method for couples therapy. I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating trauma recovery, substance use, emotional regulation, and major life transitions. Together, we focus on understanding patterns, clarifying values, and identifying strengths that may have been overlooked or overshadowed by difficult experiences.