Sadaf is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who believes that effective therapy is grounded in the collaborative exploration of a client’s unique context and experiences within a space that feels warm, nonjudgmental, unconditionally accepting, empathetic, and curious. Sadaf strives to create an affirming, inclusive, and validating environment that highlights therapy’s transformative, empowering qualities toward understanding the self, embracing authenticity, reducing suffering, and actualizing change that translates outside of the therapeutic space.

Sadaf utilizes a relational, curious, and exploratory approach grounded in cultural humility to meet each client where they are uniquely at, making connections together while integrating evidence-based techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This could involve exploring the presence of negative thoughts, de-stigmatizing and accepting emotions, learning coping skills, building insight by understanding the origins and continued impact of long-held beliefs/narratives, and inviting in more space to live in the present, honoring personal values through action. Sadaf also utilizes CBT and ACT with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and mindfulness techniques when working with clients who live with OCD.

Sadaf’s style as a therapist relies on her warmth, authenticity, honesty, curiosity, humor, and genuine care. Understanding her clients and their inner world without judgement is her priority, and she does not believe anyone is defined by a disorder or diagnosis.

Sadaf has had the pleasure of working with a diverse range of children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. Areas of strength include working with anxiety, people-pleasing, shame, perfectionism, identity within BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, OCD, and trauma. Sadaf is particularly passionate about working with children of immigrants or immigrants themselves who are navigating the complexities of bicultural experiences. Sadaf values understanding the intersection of a client’s various identities and works to explore how they impact the ways in which clients navigate through life and relationships.

Outside of the therapy room, Sadaf:

• Enjoys watching TV and films (of many genres!) and views this medium as one of the most powerful forms of storytelling
• Values having a connection to nature and traveling to see different landscapes and be immersed in different cultures
• Adores dogs

Sadaf graduated from California Lutheran University with a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with Emphasis in Marital and Family Therapy and a Specialization in Trauma. Sadaf had the honor of working with diverse clients and presenting concerns including self-harm, anxiety disorders, neurodivergence, gender dysphoria, depressive disorders, trauma and stressor-related disorders, and grief through serving the local community at California Lutheran University’s Community Counseling Services clinic as an MFT Trainee, as well as through serving high school students at one of Conejo Valley Unified School District’s Wellness Centers as a Wellness Counselor.

English.

LICENSE NUMBER AMFT #150493
SUPERVISED BY: SHELLEY TIRSBECK, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST #85396

DCA Certification
https://search.dca.ca.gov/details/2001/IMF/150493/1ad507fca3e40427019ea4906b3f8d7d