LMFT, 20 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello, I am Sandra Cantrell, LMFT. Currently I am serving individuals and families with grief and loss support specifically those impacted by treatments for long-term illness, including preparation for end of life. I include Christian values and practices in my perspective on coping and thriving through suffering. My education, which encompasses both practical experience and academic training, has equipped me with skills necessary to support individuals seeking to incorporate therapy into their coping strategies. Both life experiences and professional developments have led me to be passionate about extending compassion and support to those in need. It is an honor to companion with fellow sojourners on the challenging path toward resilience.
My goal in the first session is to begin developing and nurturing a trusting, safe therapeutic relationship. I check in regarding the initial documents sent and completed to answer any questions or concerns. I welcome you and begin assessing what you need to settle in and feel as comfortable as possible. I express admiration and affirmation for the preparatory work done to get to the session. The primary content of the first session is you begin to tell your story. I listen empathically to assess your social context and what, when, where, and why you feel you need to speak to a therapist now. I welcome questions about my background and training. Deciding if this therapist, in this setting ,is the best fit for your needs is critical. I honor your decision and assist if you would like to continue gathering data about other therapists who can help attain your goals.
I love the work I do and I have been told this love is evident to those I work with. Building trust, safety, honesty and mutual respect in therapy is one of my strengths. I practice healthy professional boundaries and model boundaries for those I work with. I am an exceptionally empathetic listener with an above average memory for what I hear. My deep faith experiences about growth in and through adversity enables me to companion with others as they experience suffering and grief.
My dream client is mature, ready and motivated for the season for adding therapy to their coping strategies. I admire and affirm one who has done the preparatory work; decided to look for a therapist available to them , reached out for resources to assure the fit of this therapist financially, by location and schedule. I will partner with these resourceful individuals, couples and families to gain insight and skills for coping.
Acknowledge and affirm one's spiritual identity as an integral part of one's view of life. Evaluate and support spiritual coping strategies for solving problems and attaining balance in mental health. Pray with and for clients when beneficial. Explore Biblical wisdom and truths in one's world view.
Promote understanding and application for stages of grief. Empathic validation of the circumstances of grief. Develop grief rituals related to memories of the one grieved. Journal prompts and processing.
Build a trusting relationship based on unconditional positive regard Examine thoughts, feelings and behaviors impacting mental health. Creation of a safe environment to grieve and learn authenticity and transparency. Explore attachment style and needs. Recovery from trauma, abuse and unmet needs. Learn the benefits of healthy boundaries.