TRAUMA THERAPY IN SAN FRANCISCO & ONLINE ACROSS CALIFORNIA
There’s a life you love on the other side of survival mode. I'll help you get there.
Reclaim Your Life With Trauma Therapy
You might have grown up in a home where love was mixed up with fear or chaos. Or you’re facing the fallout of divorce, betrayal, or a relationship that became toxic and unsafe. When you carry trauma in your body, it can show up as anxiety, depression, feeling checked out, or a nagging sense that you can’t trust yourself or others.
However it shows up, you deserve a space to untangle it, slowly, gently, and without judgment. I believe we all deserve unlimited fresh starts in life. No matter what you’ve been through, you are not beyond help. You don’t need to be perfect to deserve care, love, and support. Here, you don’t have to apologize for how you show up or not having it all together. This is a space where you can come as you are.
Trauma therapy can help you:
- Feel safer in your body
- Heal the wounds of childhood neglect and abuse
- Move through the aftermath of high-conflict divorce, break-up, or separation
- Ease anxiety, hypervigilance, and disconnection
- Manage and lessen symptoms of PTSD: panic attacks, flashbacks, or nightmares
- Rebuild trust in yourself and your relationships
- Get to Know Your Therapist
Meet Sara Sanford: Trauma Therapist, Survivor
I know how lonely healing can feel when you don’t have anyone in your corner. I’ve been through my own trauma, and I don’t show up behind a clipboard pretending to have all the answers. I show up as a real person; compassionate, honest, and willing to sit with the hard stuff.
For two decades, I’ve supported people navigating depression, anxiety, grief, transitions, and the aftermath of trauma and abuse. Together, we create space for healing, self-trust, and reconnection.
My therapy style is:
- Relational & real. I show up with my full humanity, blending my lived experience and extensive clinical work.
- Compassionate & trauma-informed. We move at your pace, listening to your nervous system along the way.
- Inclusive & affirming. My office welcomes LGBTQIA+, Poly, Kink, ENM, and sex worker communities. Your whole self is honored here.
Healing isn’t about erasing what happened. It’s about finding safety in your body, self-compassion in your mind, and connection in your relationships.
- What I offer
Personalized and Intentional Psychotherapy
Group Therapy
A space to feel seen and heard alongside others. Real connection, shared growth, and healing in community.
PTSD and Complex Trauma Therapy
Compassionate care to help you heal from PTSD and restore a sense of safety and self-trust.
Relationship Therapy
Support to help you strengthen communication, trust, and connection with those you love.
Divorce Counseling
A safe, confidential space to process, recover, and rebuild after a high-conflict marriage or relationship.
Every Part of Your Story is Welcome Here
I work with individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, relationships, and life transitions. Whether you’re a survivor of abuse, struggling with self-esteem, or seeking to improve your relationships, I am here to support you. My practice is LGBTQ+, Poly+, and ENM+ affirming, ensuring an inclusive and compassionate environment for all.
I specialize in:
Survivors of Trauma & Abuse
Care for adult survivors of childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, survivors of intimate partner violence or sexual assault, and individuals with complex PTSD.
Individuals Experiencing Anxiety & Depression
Finding balance and tools to manage emotional distress, dissociation, numbness, or stress.
Those Exploring Identity & Self-Discovery
Supporting LGBTQ+, non-monogamous, and culturally diverse individuals.
High-Conflict Divorce or Breakups
Helping individuals navigate high-conflict divorce, leaving unsafe relationships, or co-parenting after the end of a relationship or marriage.
Relationship & Intimacy Challenges
Helping individuals and partners build deeper, healthier connections.
Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) & Empaths
Navigating the world with greater emotional resilience.
Life Transitions & Personal Growth
Supporting career changes, grief, and major life adjustments.
How to Get Started
Whether you’re ready to begin trauma therapy or want to explore your options, I’m here to make the process clear and stress-free.
Reach Out
Use my contact form to share a little about what you’re looking for and ask any questions. You can also directly book an appointment through my Simple Practice scheduler.
Free Consultation
Your 20-minute consultation is an opportunity for us to meet, answer your questions, and determine if I'm a good fit for you.
Start Therapy
We’ll typically meet within one week of your consultation, and you can decide if online or in-person psychotherapy in San Francisco works best for you.
Build Healing and Trust
Walk away from sessions with new tools, insights, and a growing sense of safety and self-trust.
Grounded and Compassionate
My approach blends the science of trauma therapy with the art of human connection. I integrate:
Through a combination of talk therapy, mindfulness techniques, and body-centered approaches, I help clients process emotions, build resilience, and develop practical coping strategies for long-term healing. My focus is on empowering you to reconnect with your inner self and cultivate a sense of peace and emotional balance.
Because You Deserve a Therapist Who Gets It
While I’ve been doing this work for decades, I also know what it feels like to be on the other side of the chair. I bring my clinical experience and the lived reality of being a survivor. Therapy with me isn’t about performance or perfection. It’s about honesty, compassion, and building the kind of connection that supports your healing.
I believe we all deserve unlimited fresh starts in life. No matter what you’ve been through, you are not beyond help. You don’t need to be perfect to deserve care, love, and support. Here, you don’t have to apologize for crying, for how you show up in the room, or for not having it all together. This space is for the real you.
What Sets Me Apart?
Trauma-Informed & Inclusive – A judgment-free space for all, including LGBTQ+, Poly+, and ENM+ communities.
Personalized Therapy Plans – Every session is tailored to your needs, ensuring therapy aligns with your goals.
Integrative Approach – I blend Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Parts Work/Internal Family Systems (IFS), trauma-focused therapy, and mindfulness to create lasting change.
Holistic Healing – In therapy, we’ll tend to your whole self: mind, body, and emotional well-being, by using somatic, breathing, and polyvagal exercises.
Safe & Supportive Environment – I believe therapy is your space to be heard, understood, and empowered.
Psychotherapy in San Francisco & Online in California for Teens & Adults
In-Person & Virtual Trauma Therapy | LGBTQIA+ Affirming Care
Reach out when you’re ready, and we’ll take it one step at a time.
Please allow 24-48 hours for a reply.
(415) 870-6494
Hear What My Clients Have to Say
From navigating the choppy waters of job transitions to overcoming the complex dynamics of family relationships, from the heartaches of romantic entanglements to the profound challenges of medical trauma, Sara has been there through it all. Her presence has been a source of unwavering support and profound healing, making every obstacle seem surmountable.
Reflecting on the past two-plus years, it’s astonishing to realize how much time has flown since I first began my journey with Sara, my mental health therapist. It’s not an exaggeration to say that she has been the steadfast rock and guiding light through some of the most turbulent and transformative periods of my life.
Sara’s approach to therapy is nothing short of extraordinary. Each session with her is imbued with an incredible depth of compassion and understanding. Her expertise shines through in her thoughtful advice and insights, yet it’s her innate empathy that truly sets her apart. The comfort and safety I feel in our calls are unparalleled, providing a sanctuary where I can freely express myself and confront my deepest fears and challenges.
Support Beyond the Therapy Room
In addition to individual and couples therapy, I offer educational workshops for medical professionals, non-profits, and community organizations. These trainings are grounded in trauma-informed care and designed to foster understanding, empathy, and effective support strategies.
Popular topics include:
- Domestic Violence & Post-Separation Abuse
- Trauma-Informed Care Practices
- Tantrums & Behavioral Challenges (for parents & caregivers)
- Grief and Loss Support (especially for hospice teams)
Whether you’re supporting patients, clients, or your community, these workshops provide actionable insights with compassion at the center.
Got Questions? I Have Answers.
Not at all. Many of my clients come in simply feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to begin. You don’t need a formal label to deserve care. We’ll start wherever you are.
Yes. Online therapy offers flexibility and comfort—especially when showing up in person isn’t possible. I create a grounded, connected space no matter the distance.
That’s completely valid. Every therapeutic relationship is different. If you’re open to trying again, I’ll meet you with compassion, curiosity, and a personalized approach that honors what hasn’t worked in the past.
Yes. I support both teens directly and work with parents to strengthen communication and connection. You’re not alone in navigating this stage of life.
Finding the right therapist is personal. If something in my approach or philosophy resonates, I invite you to book a free consultation so we can connect and explore what working together might look like.
Trauma therapy helps you untangle the ways painful experiences still live in your mind and body today. It can support you in:
- Feeling less triggered and overwhelmed
- Building healthier, more fulfilling relationships
- Reconnecting with your body and emotions
- Breaking free from old patterns that no longer serve you
- Finding a stronger sense of self and confidence
Healing doesn’t erase the past, but it makes space for a life that feels more like yours again.
Insights & Tools for Mental Wellness
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