Sandra Terifaj, LMFT

Sandra Terifaj is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 35 years of experience in clinical practice and in the training and supervision of interns at various nonprofit agencies. She maintains a long-standing private practice where she supports people working through stress, anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, and other life challenges. Sandra emphasizes helping individuals identify and move through the emotional pain and obstacles that limit their capacity to live the life they want.

Sandra takes a collaborative, client-focused approach, tailoring interventions to each person’s needs and goals. She draws upon Client-Centered methods to build understanding and empathy, psychodynamic ideas to explore underlying patterns, and Cognitive Behavioral techniques to develop practical coping strategies and new ways of responding. Her goal is to guide clients toward healing, resolution, and personal growth within a respectful therapeutic relationship.

Based in California, Sandra combines decades of clinical experience with ongoing involvement in training emerging therapists. She works with adults facing a range of concerns and aims to create a steady, supportive space where clients can address what’s holding them back and discover clearer paths forward.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Sandra integrates several established approaches to help clients address emotional and relational concerns. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an accepting, empathetic environment where the client’s experience guides the work - this approach supports self-exploration and strengthens personal insight. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, works with present-day thoughts and behaviors to develop practical skills for managing anxiety, mood difficulties, and unhelpful patterns. Psychodynamic Therapy explores deeper emotional patterns and early influences to uncover recurring themes that can affect current relationships and self-understanding.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Sandra works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best. She considers the client’s goals, preferences, and the issues they bring, and adapts interventions over time so the treatment remains relevant and effective.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect with a licensed professional through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work and family commitments, reduce travel time, and maintain continuity of care when life circumstances change. Sandra uses these formats to provide consistent, accessible support tailored to each client’s needs.