Sara Contreras, LMFT | Therapist in California

Attachment focus
Trauma-informed care
Practical coping skills

About Sara

Sara Contreras is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, trauma, and life changes. She offers a calm, nonjudgmental space where clients can talk about difficult feelings and start to make small, practical changes. Sara emphasizes compassion and steady support as people take steps toward a happier life.

With five years of clinical experience, Sara draws on several approaches to suit different needs. She uses attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships affect current patterns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques help identify unhelpful thoughts and test new ways of coping. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is offered for people processing trauma symptoms.

Sara also works with concerns such as depression, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleep problems, parenting stress, anger, self-esteem, and codependency. Additional focuses include abandonment and attachment issues, body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness, communication and control issues, BDSM and kink-related concerns, and dissociation. She frames these topics in straightforward terms and helps people set practical goals.

Scheduling is flexible within her stated hours; she notes availability Monday, Wednesday, some Thursday evenings, and some mornings by appointment. Start-up steps are simple and collaborative - Sara listens to what each person needs and tailors the work to fit their life. She encourages people to take the first step when they feel ready.

How her approaches translate to online work

Sara uses attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships shape current habits and reactions. This approach helps people understand patterns that affect intimacy, trust, and communication in everyday life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to spot unhelpful thoughts and try practical behavior changes to reduce anxiety and depression.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Sara will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and then suggest ways to proceed. That conversation is collaborative, and plans can be adjusted as therapy progresses.

Session formats are not listed in her biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, and reduce travel time. It also lets people keep therapy going from different locations when life requires flexibility. Licensed professionals can adapt these methods to remote sessions so the work remains focused on practical change and emotional processing.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Depression Coping with life changesADHD

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 disabilityCodependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separation Domestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgiveness Guilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelity Isolation / loneliness JealousyLife 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 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

Credentials

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

Sara helps people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and depression. She also addresses codependency, relationship concerns, parenting strain, grief, sleep problems, and related issues.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her approach is warm and nonjudgmental and focuses on practical steps. She blends attachment-based work, client-centered listening, and CBT tools depending on the need.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Sara has five years of professional experience working with a variety of concerns including trauma, mood issues, and life transitions.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, licensed in California and practices there.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are session costs handled?

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

How do I begin working with her?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.