Sandra Lee Kanaki West

Great to meet you!

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I believe prioritizing mental health is fundamental and key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be one of the hardest and courageous steps a person can take, so congratulations on taking that step! I’ve been practicing for 8 years, and in the last decade, I've been coaching individuals with a specialization in helping to optimize life changes and champion life challenges.

A bit about my approach to therapy

Everyone has a unique story and deserves an individualized approach to care. Our connection with mutually clear expectations upfront is so beneficial and helps you reach your goals. My approach is humanistic. I believe you are the expert of your life. Once we decide to work together, we’ll act as partners in your therapeutic journey. It’s important to me that we communicate openly and you feel respected in our relationship. I’ll be there to listen to you, challenge you, and support you along the way.

What you can expect from our first session

I start with a 15-minute introductory session, where you’ll have the opportunity to share your story and what you hope to achieve in therapy. I meet with clients weekly or biweekly, especially early, to build your confidence. We'll work together to figure this out! My commitment to you is to create a warm, welcoming, non-judgmental, safe space that allows you to feel comfortable sharing and being vulnerable, while also feeling secure. From there, we’ll work together in our sessions to make your goals a reality.

You are a unique person. This is your journey, and all your questions are important, as you are. I am here to help you identify and clarify the key areas to focus on, and how to apply and use these new tools, from foundational evidence-based treatments that have a proven track record of profoundly enriching and empowering individuals' lives and relationships. I share with you and we practice in session developing your new skills, habits, and proficiency in a practical application. Many individuals report these as beneficial tools easily incorporated into daily thinking, enabling an ease in problem solving, and satisfying outcomes, enriching life and relationships, with applying practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT, DBT, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, into daily perspectives and action steps. CBT teaches how thoughts directly influence emotions and behaviors; DBT is a mindfulness practice for coping with all aspects of challenging situations; ACT is a values-based approach to our decision making and choices. Recognizing life difficulties occur naturally and are a part of life, not a sign that something is wrong with a person.

It is truly my privilege and honor to meet you exactly where you are. Your trust and confidence are priceless. My style is down-to-earth and authentic. Everyone has a unique story, and therefore an individualized approach is needed. Once we decide to work together, we’ll act as partners in your therapeutic journey. It’s important to me that we communicate openly and you feel respected in our relationship. I’ll be there to listen to you, challenge you, and support you along the way. My commitment to you is to help you achieve your goals in relationships and in life. Together, we design thoughtful action steps with your specific purpose in mind, a natural fit for you, while you enjoy your journey experiencing successful outcomes..