Sara Contreras, LMFT - Therapist in California

Attachment based work
Cognitive behavioral tools
EMDR for trauma

About Sara

Sara Contreras is a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with five years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, and coping with life changes. She also supports concerns such as ADHD, relationship struggles, grief, and issues around intimacy and sleeping.

Sara keeps sessions straightforward and focused on what matters day to day. She listens to what a person brings and helps them notice patterns in thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Together they try small, practical steps to reduce distress and build more control over difficult moments.

Her approach draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how relationships shape current reactions. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful thinking and behaviors. For people who have experienced trauma, she includes EMDR methods alongside other tools when appropriate.

Sara aims to balance short-term problem solving with deeper exploration of meaning and values. She will talk through practical coping strategies for sleep, anger, or stress and also address relationship and identity concerns such as body image, codependency, and commitment issues. Sessions are collaborative and paced to each person’s needs.

She practices in California and works in English. To arrange a first appointment, clients follow the site’s matching and scheduling steps and pick a time that fits their routine.

How her clinical approaches fit into online sessions

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early and current relationships shape responses to stress and closeness. Online work with this approach focuses on identifying patterns in how people relate and testing new ways of connecting in everyday life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In remote sessions this can mean tracking unhelpful thoughts, practicing brief behavioral experiments between meetings, and reviewing results together to adjust strategies.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is used for processing traumatic memories. When EMDR is part of work online, the therapist guides the process step by step and checks in frequently to make sure each phase feels manageable.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and symptoms and then recommend methods to try. Adjustments can be made as the work proceeds so the plan fits what actually helps.

The original biography does not specify which session formats are offered. Before booking, confirm whether video, phone, or other formats are available. Online sessions can make regular check-ins easier to fit into a weekday or evening schedule, allow focused skills practice between meetings, and reduce time spent traveling to appointments.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Depression Coping with life changes ADHD

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGrief Intimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Abandonment Attachment issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issues Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgiveness Guilt and shame Impulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Men's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issues Mood disorders Multicultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks PhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discrimination Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issues Workplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

5+ years

Listed in

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she help with?

Sara works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, and coping with life changes. She also addresses ADHD, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, sleep problems, and related concerns.

What is her therapy style like?

She uses a practical, conversational style that combines attachment-based ideas and cognitive behavioral techniques. Sessions focus on understanding patterns and trying small, manageable changes.

How much experience does she have?

Sara has five years of professional work experience as a California LMFT. That experience includes supporting people with trauma, anxiety, and life transitions.

Where is she licensed and practicing?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and provides services from that location.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

The original biography does not list specific formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.

How are fees handled?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Use the site button to see online therapy options, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.