In-Office
Divorce Trauma and CPTSD: When the Pain Doesn't End After It's Over
Oct. 13, 2025
Two people who are true friends are like two bodies with one soul." Chaim Potok
Sara Fischer Sanford, LCSW, CCTP-II's style
🎯 Direct 💙 Warm 👂 Listener 🥇 EmpoweringWhy Sara Fischer Sanford, LCSW, CCTP-II chose to be in the helping profession
My journey to becoming a therapist began at home. My mother was a social worker, and our dinner table conversations often sounded very different from those of my friends’ families. I grew up hearing about her days working with those most vulnerable around us, and I knew that someday I would do the same. Those stories opened my eyes early on to the resilience and complexity of people’s lives, and they gave me a sense of the kind of compassion it takes to walk alongside someone in their hardest seasons.
Losing my mom to cancer when I was a teenager changed everything. She was my role model, and stepping into the path she started became both a way to grieve and a way to honor her. Even now, she continues to shape not just the career I chose, but the way I see the world.
At the same time, who I am goes beyond my family history. I’ve always felt a pull to encourage, uplift, and empower others. For me, that desire isn’t something I can switch off—it feels stitched into who I am. In grad school, people sometimes dismissed “wanting to help people” as too simple a motivation. But over time, I’ve come to see it as the most profound one. Helping isn’t just about easing pain in the moment; it’s about being present for transformation, creating space for growth, and reminding people of their own capacity to heal.
Today, in my private practice, I feel grateful every day to do work that reflects my deepest values. It’s not always easy—therapy rarely is—but it’s meaningful in a way that makes me certain I’m exactly where I belong. Every session offers a chance to connect, to witness resilience, and to contribute in some small way to someone’s healing. And at the end of the day, I get to carry with me the simple but powerful truth: I made a difference in someone’s life.
Sara Fischer Sanford, LCSW, CCTP-II's approach
In my work, I try to be the kind of therapist I always wished I could find—someone who is kind, genuine, and deeply human. My clients tell me they feel safe being themselves with me, without needing to put on a mask or get everything “just right.” That sense of ease and trust is where the real healing begins.
I believe our past shapes us in powerful ways, and part of my role is to help you explore the experiences that brought you here—especially the painful or confusing ones that still echo in your life today. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with over 20 years of experience, I have a particular focus on helping people process trauma, untangle old patterns, and make sense of the ways the past shows up in the present.
At the same time, therapy with me isn’t just about looking back—it’s also about finding relief and change right now. I use mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to give you concrete tools for calming your nervous system, managing anxious thoughts, and feeling more present in your daily life. These practices can help you not only cope but also feel more steady and grounded as you move forward.
Together, we’ll also take a close look at the thought patterns and beliefs that shape how you see yourself and the world. By gently shifting those patterns, we open the door to greater peace, hope, and self-trust.
My approach often follows a rhythm: first, making sense of the past; then, practicing skills that bring calm and clarity to the present; and finally, reshaping the way you think and relate to yourself so that you can create lasting change. It’s not about striving for perfection—it’s about learning to meet life’s messiness with resilience, compassion, and confidence in your own inner strength.
If you’re ready for a therapist who will truly listen, walk alongside you, and help you find both healing and practical tools for today, I’d be honored to work with you.
What you can expect from sessions with Sara Fischer Sanford, LCSW, CCTP-II
When you work with me, your comfort and well-being always come first. Whether we’re meeting in my cozy office in the Castro or connecting virtually through telehealth, I want therapy to feel like a space that’s just for you. You might come in straight from work, join from your couch in pajamas, or grab a moment of quiet in between the busyness of life—wherever you are, I’ll meet you there with warmth and compassion.
We usually start with a genuine check-in—how your week has been, what’s been heavy or hopeful, and anything else on your mind. This keeps our work rooted in your real, day-to-day life so therapy feels relevant and meaningful.
From there, we focus on what matters most to you: easing anxiety, healing from past trauma, building healthier relationships, communicating with confidence, or finding ways to feel calmer and more grounded. Together, we’ll explore what’s been holding you back and chart a path forward that feels authentic and sustainable.
I also want you to leave each session with something tangible you can carry into your week—a tool for calming your nervous system, a new perspective, or a gentle reminder to prioritize your own needs. You can think of me as both a supportive ally and an accountability partner, helping you move toward the life you want to create.
At the heart of it all, my goal is to help you find more ease, resilience, and joy. Therapy with me isn’t about perfection—it’s about discovering your own strength, learning new ways to meet life’s challenges, and creating a life that feels aligned with your deepest values. Whether we meet in person or online, I’d be honored to walk alongside you on that journey.
Sara Fischer Sanford, LCSW, CCTP-II's experience working with the Jewish community
I grew up in a Jewish home, where values of compassion, resilience, and community were woven into daily life. Even though I was raised in an area with a very small Jewish population, I cherished every opportunity to share in holidays and traditions with family and the wider community—it always felt like coming home. Those experiences instilled in me a deep sense of connection to my heritage, even when I sometimes felt like the “only one” in my school or friend group marking a holiday or ritual.
Nearly twenty years ago, I had one of my earliest professional encounters with the Jewish community that left a lasting impression. While working with homeless families, I partnered with a Temple that opened its doors overnight when shelters reached capacity. Witnessing the congregation’s generosity and compassion—providing not just shelter, but dignity and warmth—shaped the way I understood community care. It’s an experience I’ve carried with me ever since, and it continues to guide the heart of my work.
Today, my practice welcomes clients of all faiths and backgrounds, yet my bond with the Jewish community remains especially meaningful. Through telehealth and in-person sessions, I’ve been able to connect with Jewish clients across California and beyond, sharing in traditions, supporting healing, and honoring the unique cultural experiences that shape each person’s story. No matter the faith or identity of my clients, the Jewish values I grew up with—compassion, inclusivity, and the belief in caring for one another—are the foundation of how I practice as a therapist.
Sara Fischer Sanford, LCSW, CCTP-II's Book Recommendation Zone
Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-based
- Breathwork
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Couples Counseling
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Life Coaching
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Motivational Interviewing
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
- Somatic Therapy
- Supervision Services
- Trauma Focused Therapy
Concerns
Languages spoken
EnglishAges
Adolescents (13-18) Adults Elders (65+)People I work with
Men Women Individuals Couples GroupsPersonal religious affiliations
ReformJewish community experience
ExtensiveLicensed to work in
CaliforniaNearby areas within a short commute to my in person office
Berkeley, Oakland, Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Rafael, San Ramon10 years in practice
Licenses
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker by California Board of Behavioral Sciences 10/2027. License number CA92601
Degrees
- Master of Social Work by Kennesaw State University 2014
- Bachelor of Arts by Vanderbilt University 2003
Certificates
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional by Board of Behavioral Sciences 2027
Average costs per session
$185 - $225
Payment Methods
- Sliding Scale
- Free consultation
- Credit Card
- Zelle Quick Pay
- Venmo
- PayPal
What people have to say about working with me:
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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.
JAD
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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.
LWB
