Hi, I am Sara

Sara Lichstein Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, Santa Monica, and Thousand Oaks.

From a young age, I've been curious, cared for, and interested in those around me, both human and animal alike. As I have moved through my own healing journey, that natural sensitivity has deepened into a calling: to offer a compassionate, grounded space for others to process and grow.

​In my practice, I am deeply committed to providing the highest quality care by continually engaging in advanced training and staying updated with the latest therapeutic approaches. I believe in embodying the principles I share with the people I work with, ensuring that I not only guide but also personally adhere to the path of ongoing growth and learning.

​Navigating life's challenges can often feel overwhelming, and finding support is crucial. I am dedicated to providing compassionate care, assisting you in processing your pain, and equipping you with practical skills for self-soothing and nervous system regulation. ​By integrating talk therapy and somatic practices, we can address both the psychological and physiological aspects of your experiences. This combined approach not only facilitates the verbal processing of thoughts and emotions but also incorporates body-centered techniques to release stored tension and trauma. As a result, it promotes holistic healing, enhances self-awareness, and supports the development of effective self-regulation skills

Outside of the therapy room, I love to dance, spend time with my cat Georgina, take my brother’s dog Tini (seen in picture to the right) for walks, be in nature, and spend time with the people I hold dear.

Close-up of a brown and black tabby cat with white face and chest, lying on a carpeted surface, near a colorful decorative item with pink, blue, and red floral patterns.

Meet Georgina! If we work virtually, you may spot her tail or body come into view.

What Guides My Practice

Authenticity

I believe meaningful therapy begins with an authentic relationship. I show up as a genuine, engaged therapist and strive to embody the same values I encourage in my clients—curiosity, self-compassion, healthy boundaries, and continued growth.

Validation and Honest Feedback

Feeling understood is essential—but therapy doesn't stop there. I'll help you make sense of your experiences while also offering thoughtful feedback, new perspectives, and practical strategies that support meaningful, lasting change.

Your Whole Self Is Welcome Here

I believe healing happens when we make space for all parts of who you are. Rather than focusing only on thoughts or behaviors, we'll welcome your emotions, your nervous system, your relationships, and your unique life experiences into the therapeutic process.

Practical Tools

It is important to me for you to have tools to utilize outside of sessions in order to self-soothe and practice emotion regulation. I want you to feel like you are gaining skills that you can use on your own.

Collaborative Care

You are the expert in your experience and life and I am here to support you through my training/education. We work together to create change.

Humor and Humanity

Healing doesn't have to feel heavy all the time. While we'll make space for life's hardest moments, I also believe laughter, lightness, and genuine human connection have an important place in therapy and life.

Testimonials

  • Child's drawing of a white flower with five petals inside a green circle.

    “Getting diagnosed and the support and tools from therapy “has completely transformed my life and has brought me so much clarity in my life.”

  • Watercolor painting of a green leaf with a yellow central vein.

    “Many therapists I have seen in the past offered the same two or three coping methods, which never worked for me. Sara has shown me new ways of communication that increased my emotional vocabulary and knowledge. I feel like I am not just coping in the moment, but understanding myself better in the long run too.”

  • “I have found that Sara has created a judgment-free space for me to be vulnerable and open about my experiences.”

  • A simple drawing of a white flower with a yellow center on a red background

    “With other therapists, it was like banging on a blockaded door trying to get in. Sessions with Sara are more like navigating an ocean as the waves come and go, choosing which storms to sail towards or away from as our comfort level dictated”

  • Simple illustration of a plant with purple leaves arranged along a central stem

    “I’m fond of the honest and meaningful feedback I’m given.”

  • Simple painting of a white flower with a yellow and brown center on a brown background

    “I have been able to be kinder with myself and have finally been able to express my own boundaries.”

Contact

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!