sara vicendese&associates
Sara Vicendese, LMFT
Individual and Couples Therapy
Sara Vicendese is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California (license #85361). She and her associates provide in-person and teletherapy services to clients across the state. Her offices are located in West Los Angeles and Calabasas.
Sara’s practice treats adults, adolescents, children and couples. Her team has extensive training in psychodynamic therapy (commonly referred to as “talk therapy”), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy with response prevention (ERP), trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT), Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and emotion-focused couples therapy (EFT). Sara’s team is culturally-sensitive and LGBTQIA affirmative.
Treatment specialties include:
- anxiety disorders (including obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder)
- depression and bipolar disorder
- trauma and sexual assault
- interpersonal conflict / relational issues
- life adjustments and transitions
- pre-marital therapy and couples counseling
For a free phone consultation call 310.909.7253 or send a confidential email to Sara at saravicendesemft@gmail.com.
Sara's professional experience is diverse. At The Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills, she received supervised training in psychodynamic, interpersonal therapy. At the UCLA Mood Disorders Research Program in Westwood, she was trained in the clinical assessment of mood disorders (specializing in bipolar disorder). Sara also trained at the UCLA Anxiety Disorders Pediatric Intensive Outpatient Program, working with adolescents diagnosed with severe anxiety disorders– including, but not limited to, obsessive-compulsive disorder, specific phobia and social phobia. This clinic specializes in providing Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), a behavioral treatment approach proven effective in treating severe anxiety disorders. As an MFT Intern in private practice, Sara provided psychotherapy services under the direct supervision of Dr. Michael Cameron, Licensed Psychologist and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA’s Geffen School of Medicine.
In addition to her private practice, Sara also recently served as a Staff Research Associate at UCLA's Child & Adolescent Mood Disorders Program.
Sara also completed an externship in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy conducted by EFT creator and licensed psychologist Sue Johnson.
Sara earned her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California, and her Bachelor’s Degree from New York University.
Sara frequently conducts training sessions for licensed and pre-licensed clinicians on the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Sara was raised in Seattle and spent many years in New York City before moving to Los Angeles. While she often misses rainy Seattle weather and the energy of NYC, she has developed a genuine love and appreciation for LA. She enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and playing tennis. She also practices yoga and meditation and incorporates elements of mindfulness and breath work into her sessions.
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Viktor E. Frankl
Research has shown that the most critical factor in treatment success is the relationship between therapist and client. My ultimate goal is to create a safe, secure environment where my clients can openly and honestly share their experience. Without that confidentiality and trust in place, therapy will not be effective.
My experience in and outside of the psychological profession has made one thing very clear: no two people share the same experience. It is the unique combination of social, psychological and biological factors that make us who we are, so a "one-size fits all" treatment approach is often ineffective. My diverse training, combined with consistent consultation of current research findings, helps me develop an individualized treatment plan that meets the unique needs of each client.
As a cisgender white female, I know what I don’t know. I am constantly learning and value diversity in all forms.
I believe strongly in therapist accountability. It’s my job to help you clarify and achieve your goals, and regularly assessing our progress is an important part of that process. I encourage you to ask questions about the therapy at any time; this is your life, and I’m here to help you make the most of it.
Hayden Hunter, AMFT
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
Hayden is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (license #126738) supervised by Sara Vicendese LMFT. She provides psychotherapy to adults, adolescents and families and offers both in-person and teletherapy services. Her offices are located in Santa Monica and Calabasas.
She earned her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California, and her Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Hayden recently completed an internship with Richstone Family Center located in Hawthorne with a focus on serving individuals and families in marginalized communities. She has experience working with children, adults, adolescents, and families. Additionally, Hayden has worked extensively with court mandated clients, disabled clients, and school based treatment teams.
Hayden’s training in a broad range of therapeutic modalities allows her to tailor her treatment plans to meet each client’s individual needs. She utilizes a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), psychodynamic and existential approaches, and is receiving ongoing training from Sara Vicendese in the use of exposure therapy with response prevention (ERP) for obsessive-compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders. She is also specializing in the treatment of bipolar disorders and mood disorders under Sara’s direct supervision.
Hayden enjoys spending time in nature through hiking, surfing, and running. She is an avid yoga practitioner and instructor in the Santa Monica area utilizing breathwork, mindfulness, and meditation in both her professional and personal life.
To book an appointment call 424.443.7114 or send a confidential email to Hayden at HaydenHunterTherapy@gmail.com.
Lucy Singleton, AMFT
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. Carl Rogers
Lucy is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (Reg. #103403) supervised by Sara Vicendese LMFT. She has a strong clinical foundation working with children, teens, and adults to address a wide range of issues including anxiety disorders, depression, grief, relationship issues and trauma. Lucy is dedicated to creating a safe space for her clients by developing a therapeutic relationship built on authenticity, non-judgment and trust. Her approach is collaborative and strengths-based, focusing on each client’s individual needs and goals.
Lucy earned both her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) and undergraduate degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University. Her diverse experience over the past 10 years includes working with teens at a juvenile detention center, developing an after-school program for homeless elementary school-aged children at the Orange County Rescue Mission, and facilitating socio-emotional development for preschoolers and toddlers in a daycare setting. Recently, she has focused on the treatment of mental health disorders in both private practice and community clinic settings.
Lucy also trained at Airport Marina Counseling Center, where she participated in the adolescent track at Orville Wright Middle School. There, she provided individual therapy to students and co-led a grief processing group for students who had suffered traumatic loss. She incorporates elements of art therapy, play therapy, traditional talk therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in her clinical work. Lucy has worked with a wide variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and values cultural sensitivity in her work as a therapist.
Lucy is receiving ongoing training from Sara Vicendese in the use of exposure therapy with response prevention (ERP) for obsessive-compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders. She is also specializing in the treatment of bipolar disorder under Sara’s direct supervision.
Lucy has also completed specialized training in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. She enjoys thinking outside of the box to find creative solutions to problems and has studied the use of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) to promote healthy attachment in children and adults with trauma. She lives in Los Angeles and enjoys painting, hiking, and playing with her rescue mutt, Stewie.
To book an appointment call 424.625.4866 or send a confidential email to Lucy at LucySingletonTherapy@gmail.com.
Previous to becoming a therapist, Sara worked as a journalist and communications strategist in New York and Los Angeles. She continues to provide consultation services incorporating her psychological training and insight.
Fees for media consultation vary pending the needs of each specific project.
For a free phone consultation or to schedule an appointment, please call 310.909.7253 or email Sara at saravicendesemft@gmail.com.
If you do not receive a message back within 24 hours, please call or text 310.909.7253.