Hi! I’m Cindy, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, based in California with 8 years of experience working in community mental health clinics, school settings, and private practices. I’m passionate about helping individuals navigate life transitions and uncover their inner strength. I provide compassionate, client-centered care using a variety of therapeutic approaches, including EMDR, CBT, and IFS. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to achieve their goals.
In the first session, clients can expect a warm and supportive conversation to get to know them and their concerns. We’ll start by going over the "housekeeping rules" and discussing what to expect in therapy. From there, we’ll explore what brought them to therapy, their current situation (including symptoms, support systems, work, relationships, past history, and coping skills), and their goals. I’ll also address any questions or hesitations they may have and explain my therapeutic approach. Together, we’ll determine if we’re a good fit and discuss how we might work together. This session is designed to build trust, foster comfort, and develop a plan tailored to their unique needs.
My greatest strengths as a provider include being open and curious about my clients’ thoughts and feelings without making assumptions, and try to meet where they are at. I approach each person with respect and equality, regardless of their age or cultural background. I deeply believe in my clients’ inner strength and their ability to make positive changes in their lives. I create individualized treatment plans tailored to each person’s unique needs, combining professionalism and genuine care to provide the highest level of support to my clients.
I work well with clients navigating life transitions, managing stress, or processing the effects of trauma. I specialize in supporting individuals who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected. My experience includes working with culturally diverse communities, young adults, and those seeking support with self-esteem, boundary setting, emotional regulation, and self-compassion. I focus on fostering a compassionate and collaborative environment where clients can explore their challenges and create meaningful changes.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop strategies to challenge and reframe them, promoting healthier perspectives and emotional well-being.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as tapping, is a simple and powerful technique to help clients reduce stress and manage overwhelming emotions. EFT combines gentle tapping on specific acupressure points with focused attention on emotional challenges, helping to calm the nervous system and release emotional blocks.
EMDR is great for process distressing memories and reduce the emotional impact of past traumas. It works by using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, to help the brain reprocess difficult experiences in a way that feels less overwhelming.
I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients explore and understand the different parts of themselves. This process fosters self-compassion and healing, enabling clients to access their core Self—an inner resource of wisdom, calm, and strength—to navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and balance.