- Stress and anxiety
- Self esteem
- Life purpose
About Cecilia
Cecilia Sandoval Serna is a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 17 years of professional experience. She works with adults who are feeling stuck by stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, depression, and major life changes, and she also helps people wrestling with communication problems, forgiveness, loneliness, self-love, and questions of life purpose.
She uses a practical, person-focused style in sessions. Conversations are shaped around what is happening now and what feels most urgent. Cecilia helps people name what is getting in the way, try different ways of responding, and practice small changes that fit day-to-day life.
In the first meetings she and the client map concerns and set short-term goals. Treatment plans are adjusted as progress and priorities shift. Sessions mix talk, skill practice, and straightforward feedback to build confidence managing symptoms and situations.
Her 17 years of work in California include supporting people through transitions such as job change, relationship shifts, and changing health. Cecilia emphasizes clear, respectful communication and practical steps rather than abstract theory.
People who choose her are often looking for direction after a change, help calming intense feelings, or ways to rebuild self-worth. She asks clients to be active in setting goals and testing what works between sessions. This collaborative, hands-on approach guides the work toward everyday improvements rather than grand promises.
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions work
Evidence-based therapeutic techniques are used to address symptoms and practical problems. One common approach focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and testing more balanced ways of thinking; this helps reduce anxiety and low mood by changing how situations are interpreted. Another approach emphasizes building skills for managing strong emotions and improving communication; clients practice specific techniques for calming down and speaking more clearly in difficult moments.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Cecilia will collaborate with each person to decide which techniques match their needs, goals, and preferences. That means trying methods, reviewing what helps, and adjusting the plan together rather than committing to one fixed path up front.
Session formats are not specified in the original biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It also makes it simpler to keep continuity of care through life changes while working on stress, relationships, and questions about purpose.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She helps with stress, anxiety, anger management, low self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include communication problems, forgiveness, isolation or loneliness, life purpose, and self-love.
How does she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
Her style is practical and conversational. She maps current difficulties, sets short-term goals, and works on doable steps to test between sessions.
What is her professional background?
She has 17 years of professional experience working with adults on emotional and life-transition issues in California.
What credentials does she hold and where is she based?
She is a California LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and practices in California.
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 sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing depends on the chosen plan and locale.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to get started.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.