Sandra Quezada, LCSW

she/her

Licensed in CA #62868

Insurances Accepted: Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Health Net/MHN, Cigna/Evernorth

Speaks spanish

I aim to provide a safe space I help my clients identify and uproot obstacles blocking their path toward self-actualization and fulfillment.

My Focus Areas

Anxiety, Burnout, Cultural Issues/Racial Trauma, Family Conflict, Life Transitions, Stress, Trauma, Women's Issues

My Therapy Style

I aim to provide a safe space I help my clients identify and uproot obstacles blocking their path toward self-actualization and fulfillment. Anxiety, depression, and trauma can disrupt our functioning and negatively impact how we view ourselves, others, and the world. They can also keep us stuck in repeating the same unhealthy patterns that are causing further emotional pain.

My goal is to support my clients in reaching their goals, whether they be to find more happiness, worry less, improve relationships, or find more fulfillment at work.

I have worked in large medical settings, community mental health, and university setting in Southern California. I have an eclectic style of therapy that is tailored to each client's needs.

My Approach

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Psychodynamic, Solution-focused, Strengths-based

Education & Training

BA - Psychology, University of California Santa Barbara

BA - Sociology, University of California Santa Barbara

MS - Social Work, University of Southern California

Certificate - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies

Get to Know Me

What are your interests outside of work?

Playing with my daughter, exercise, exploring different restaurants and culinary experiences, enjoying nature, traveling.

What is one thing you do daily that supports your well-being?

Gratitude has been immensely helpful during challenging times. Pausing and reflecting on the small things that I'm grateful for can really help change my perspective and mood when things are tough.

How do you recharge?

I try to get as much sleep as I can on a regular basis. I also find it helpful to take time off to spend with family and friends, be in nature.

Do you have any pets?

I've always considered myself a dog person and never saw myself with a cat. But I am so lucky that my cat, Bennie, found me.

In 2016, my friend asked me to watch a precocious kitty that was lost in her neighborhood. Within a few days, the owners saw the fliers my friend posted and came to pick up their kitty. I was shocked at how quickly I bonded with her and was sad to say goodbye.

About a month later, the owners asked if I could take her back. She did not re-adjust well to being home and they believed she may have a better time with me. I declined initially, as I thought I wanted to get a dog at that time. The same day that I informed the owners that I could not take the cat, she ended up back on the street and in almost the same spot my friend initially found her a month earlier. We knew it was meant to be and she's lived with me since!