Sara Contreras, LMFT

California LMFT supporting healing from trauma and anxiety

Trauma and anxiety support
Relationship and family work
Collaborative goal setting

About Sara Contreras

Sara Contreras is a California-licensed therapist with five years of clinical experience who supports adults navigating stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, and major life transitions. As an LMFT - a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - she blends practical skill-building with empathic listening to help clients make meaningful changes and find more satisfying ways of living.

Sara cultivates a nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be voiced openly, encouraging honest exploration of difficult experiences and patterns. She recognizes that taking the first step toward a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage, and she positions herself as a steady collaborator who helps clients identify goals, develop coping strategies, and strengthen relationships.

Her approach balances emotional attunement with evidence-informed techniques, aiming to reduce symptoms while also addressing the relational and life-shift dynamics that contribute to distress. Sara offers support focused on long-term resilience and practical problem solving, guiding each person toward clearer understanding and sustainable change.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

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

Also Specializes In

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

Additional Focus Areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic Approach

Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Sara Contreras have?

Sara Contreras has 5 years of professional experience.

Is Sara Contreras a licensed therapist?

Yes. She holds the credential LMFT, which indicates Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. License details are CA LMFT 139564.

In which languages does Sara Contreras provide therapy?

Sara provides therapy in English.

Where is Sara Contreras located?

Sara is licensed and practices in California.

How can I work with Sara Contreras as my therapist?

You can work with Sara through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Sara Contreras work with international clients?

Sara Contreras does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Sara Contreras cost?

Session costs can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time for any reason. For current pricing and details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started is quick. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with a therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Sara Contreras

Sara draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early bonds and current relationships shape emotional responses and interpersonal patterns; this work can be helpful for clients facing abandonment, attachment concerns, and relationship difficulties. She uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space that prioritizes each person's values and pace of growth, supporting issues such as depression, self-esteem, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is employed to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering practical tools for managing anxiety, stress, and mood symptoms.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Sara collaborates with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. This collaborative exploration helps tailor sessions so therapy feels relevant and effective.

Online therapy with Sara is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These remote options make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life changes, reduce travel time, and fit therapy into a busy routine while working with licensed professionals and therapists who focus on practical progress and emotional healing.

Ready to start therapy with Sara Contreras?

Take the first step toward a better you.

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