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LMFT

Sandra Terifaj, LMFT

  • Experience35 years
  • LocationCalifornia
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Addictions, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Sandra

Sandra Terifaj is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 35 years of clinical experience in independent practice and in training and supervising interns at nonprofit agencies.

Background and approach

She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, eating concerns, depression, relationship and family challenges, grief, intimacy-related issues, self-esteem struggles, and coping with life changes, as well as related areas such as codependency, narcissism, personality disorders, and women's issues.

Sandra emphasizes helping clients access the emotions and obstacles that interfere with their goals so they can move toward healing and growth. Her style is collaborative and client-centered, drawing on a range of evidence-informed methods to match each person’s needs.

She integrates Internal Family Systems ideas alongside Client-Centered, Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, and Mindfulness approaches to tailor interventions. Sandra frames therapy as a process of exploration and skill-building, guiding clients to resolve patterns that limit their sense of wellbeing while supporting practical changes for everyday life.

Integrating approaches for online healing and growth

Internal Family Systems helps people notice and relate to the different parts of themselves with curiosity rather than judgment; it can be especially useful for addressing trauma, internal conflict, and patterns that keep a person stuck. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration so clients can clarify their own goals and build self-trust, which supports work on depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, and self-esteem. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and provides practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns, making it useful for anxiety, stress, addictions, and coping with life changes.

Finding the right blend of approaches is part of the therapeutic process, and Sandra works collaboratively with each client to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors interventions over time and involves the client in decisions about focus and pacing so therapy remains relevant and actionable.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing people to access licensed professionals from home or on the go. These formats make it easier to fit regular sessions into busy schedules, continue work between in-person commitments, and maintain continuity of care when life circumstances change.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Sandra commonly address?
Sandra supports people with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, eating issues, depression, relationship and family difficulties, grief, intimacy-related concerns, self-esteem struggles, and coping with life changes. She also focuses on codependency, narcissism, personality disorders, and women's issues.
What is Sandra's therapeutic style and approach?
Her work is collaborative and client-centered, using interventions drawn from Client-Centered Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, CBT, Mindfulness, and Internal Family Systems to fit individual needs and goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Sandra has 35 years of experience in independent practice and in training and supervising interns at various nonprofit agencies.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMFT licensed in California with license number CA LMFT 23231 and maintains a practice in California.
Can non-English speakers or international clients work with her?
Sessions are offered in English only, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and circumstances.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin working with her?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

Additional focus areas

CodependencyNarcissismPersonality disordersWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

35+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English