About Sandra
Sandra Terifaj is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 35 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, eating concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, and challenges with self-esteem and life changes. She takes a collaborative, down-to-earth approach.
Sessions focus on what is most pressing for the client and on practical steps to reduce distress. Sandra uses clear talk, questions that help uncover patterns, and exercises chosen to fit each person's situation.
Background and approach
Her background includes long-term independent practice and supervising interns at nonprofit agencies. That experience has shaped a flexible style that blends several therapy methods to match individual needs. She leans on client-centered work to hear what matters most to the person in front of her.
Sandra also draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Mindfulness and psychodynamic ideas help clients notice emotional patterns and the stories that keep them stuck. Internal Family Systems work is used when parts work makes sense for understanding inner conflicts.
Clients can expect straightforward conversation, focused goals, and homework when it helps. Sandra aims to guide people toward clearer choices and more manageable daily routines. The emphasis is on steady progress rather than quick fixes.
How Sandra’s Approaches Translate to Online Work
Client-Centered Therapy puts the client's experience first. In this approach Sandra listens closely, reflects what she hears, and helps people name what matters. It is helpful when someone needs a steady, accepting space to sort feelings and priorities.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Sandra uses simple exercises to identify unhelpful thinking and to try different behaviors that reduce anxiety and improve mood. This approach often helps with stress, anxiety, and problem habits.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Sandra will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and how they respond to different ideas. She adjusts methods as needed so therapy fits the client's pace and needs in a collaborative way.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video lets people use visual cues and longer conversation. Phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in fits the day. Live chat and text messaging provide flexible ways to keep in touch between sessions or to share quick updates. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, family, and other commitments.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Also listed
- Codependency
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Narcissism
- Personality disorders
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Women's issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 35 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English
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