Cecilia Sandoval Serna, LMFT
Experienced California LMFT focused on practical change
Book with CeciliaWorks with
- Anger
- Stress, Anxiety
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
How Cecilia works
- Not listed
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- California
- Years in practice
- 17
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Cecilia
Cecilia Sandoval Serna is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 17 years of clinical experience. She works with people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, or depression. Her approach aims to make conversations straightforward and useful from the very first session.
Cecilia treats each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. She listens for what matters most and then tailors conversations and goals to fit those needs.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on practical steps you can try between meetings to reduce intense feelings and build confidence. Common topics she helps people with include handling anger, managing everyday stress, improving communication, and coping with life changes. She also supports people working on forgiveness, overcoming isolation or loneliness, and finding a clearer sense of life purpose and self-love.
Cecilia favors evidence-based techniques and adapts them to each person’s situation. That means she uses approaches shown to help with mood and behavior, then shapes them into a plan that feels realistic and doable. She encourages small, steady changes rather than quick fixes.
If taking the first step feels hard, she acknowledges that and aims to make the process easier. New clients start by sharing what brought them to therapy, then together they set simple goals and methods to move forward.
What Cecilia works with
Everything Cecilia lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Cecilia's practice.
Evidence-based approaches and online care
Cecilia uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques adapted to each person. One common approach focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce anxiety and depression; it helps people notice patterns, test new ways of thinking, and practice different actions. Another approach works on emotion regulation and practical coping skills to manage anger and intense feelings; it offers step-by-step tools to calm down and respond differently in heated moments.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Cecilia will listen to your goals and concerns, explain options in plain language, and together you will try methods that feel like a good fit. She adjusts plans over time based on what’s working and what isn’t.
Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video lets you have a face-to-face conversation from wherever you are, while phone sessions can fit into a short break or require less bandwidth. Live chat and messaging are useful for quick check-ins, ongoing support, and practicing skills between sessions. These formats make scheduling easier and help therapy fit into busy routines.
Questions people ask about Cecilia
What concerns does she help with?
She helps people address stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include communication problems, forgiveness, loneliness, life purpose, and self-love.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is straightforward and compassionate with an emphasis on practical steps. Sessions focus on listening, setting clear goals, and trying techniques that can be used between meetings.
How long has she practiced?
She has 17 years of professional experience working with people on mood and behavior concerns.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, LMFT, licensed in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She meets by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How does payment and getting started work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.