Cassandra Prof Page | TalkaWhile

Cassandra Monfared, LMFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist 150983

"So many of us carry stories that were never ours to hold—stories of unworthiness, shame, or fear. Therapy is about untangling those narratives and replacing them with truth: that you are enough, that your emotions are valid, and that healing is possible.

Cassandra holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of settings, including an elementary school, a bereavement center, private practices, and an Intensive Outpatient Program. These experiences have given her a well-rounded perspective on the diverse challenges individuals face throughout different life stages.

Cassandra’s approach to therapy is integrative and client-centered, blending techniques such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Person-Centered Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. Using EMDR, she helps clients process past trauma, allowing them to heal, release emotional pain, and move forward with clarity and strength. Each session is tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of her clients, creating a safe, compassionate space for growth.

Cassandra works with clients from all walks of life, supporting those facing challenges like depression, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, self-esteem struggles, life transitions, and neurodiversity diagnoses such as ADHD and Autism. With a focus on respect and empathy, she empowers clients to explore their emotions, develop greater self-awareness, and build lasting resilience as they navigate life’s complexities.

Licensing and Education

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #150983
Master's in Arts in Counseling Psychology, Santa Clara University
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Psychology, San Jose State University
EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist
200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification, The Joy of Yoga School

Therapeutic Approaches

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) Therapy
Expressive Arts and Play Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) - in process (completed CDI training)
Psychodynamic Therapy

Clinical Background

Wellspring Psychology, Los Gatos, CA
- provided psychotherapy to teens and adults struggling with anxiety and depression
- conducted intakes and assessments to provide appropriate diagnoses for treatment development
- collaborated with clients in the development of treatment plans to address client goals
- maintained client progress notes and collaborated with colleagues to support client work
- conducted safety assessments and plans when suicidality concerns were present

Christian Counseling Center, San Jose, CA
- provided therapy services for children, adults, and couples involving work stress,
  relationship difficulties, depression, and anxiety, and the LGBTQ community
- managed client referrals and scheduled clients after assessing for their needs
- co-faciliated workshops on self-care and stress after COVID pandemic

Pathways Home Health and Hospice, Sunnyvale, CA
- provided therapy to children and families, adults, and groups experiencing grief
  and loss
- conducted intakes with potential clients and began scheduling process to ensure
  clients received support
- developed outreach work in the community to provide resources/support for those
  grieving the death of a loved one
- collaborated with other medical providers

Bay Area Children’s Association (BACA), San Jose, CA
- provided behavioral support for teens in group therapy within the Intensive
  Outpatient Program (IOP) experiencing significant mental health difficulties such
  as anxiety, depression, suicidal behavior that is affecting their functioning within
  relationships
- worked with adolescent struggling with school attendance to identify underlying
  reasons/challenges for school refusal
- focused on developing trust and building positive communication between teens
  and their families for better progress
- reached out to community to identify build a resourceful community for clients graduating the IOP program

Associations & Memberships

• California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)