Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Downey, CA

My name is Sara. I have been working in the field for over 7 years. I am currently finishing up my PhD in Mindful Andrological practices. I consider myself a very down-to-earth, gentle, and holistic person.

I work with adults and couples who feel stuck in patterns that insight alone hasn't changed. Specializing in anxiety, depression, gender affirming care, and Veteran care, I will provide a focused, grounded, and effective approach to therapy. My practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is centered on helping clients clarify what is maintaining their difficulties and develop practical and sustainable ways of shifting them.

With 47 years of experience and a deep commitment to my clients' well-being, I'm dedicated to providing a supportive and effective therapeutic experience. I graduated from Chapman University with departmental honors in both Sociology and Social Work, and I hold a graduate degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy. My core strengths as a therapist are sincere empathy and deep listening, which I believe are the most powerful tools for fostering growth and healing. I am dedicated to continuous learning and am trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches, allowing me to tailor my methods to each client's unique needs.

I am a California LMFT with several years of experience in community mental health and private practice settings. I help support people through challenges such as chronic "stuck" mood states, family dynamics, and trauma. Much of my work focuses on helping clients better understand themselves within the context of their own lives. I value warmth, curiosity, and open inquiry as foundations for meaningful therapeutic work.

I'm Mary, and I want you to know that whatever's bringing you here — anxiety that won't quiet down, a relationship that's fraying, grief you can't shake, or patterns you keep repeating despite your best efforts — you don't have to figure it out alone. I've worked with individuals, couples, families, and teens facing some of life's hardest chapters, and I genuinely believe that the right support at the right time changes everything.

I'm California-licensed and offer telehealth sessions statewide, which means flexible, private care from wherever you're most comfortable. I accept Aetna, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, and Carelon Behavioral Health, and I'm happy to help you understand your benefits before your first session.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Northern California with a decade of experience working with clients and families from various backgrounds. I seek to empower clients while being grounded in the realistic restrictions that time, life circumstances, and competing demands can place on an individual. With your expertise in yourself, I would like to work together to create a shared understanding to determine the path forward that works best for you.