Home - Sara Firestone LMFT

Psychotherapy to support healing and growth

Hi, and welcome—I’m glad you’re here.

I’m Sara a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, anxiety, and trauma processing.

I have my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology from UCLA. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in early childhood education and my background in child development and education continues to inform my work, especially when supporting individuals and families during major life transitions.

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My Specializations

Perinatal Mental Health

Motherhood is often portrayed in our culture as the best time in a person’s life and we are told to “enjoy every minute.” However, personal and professional experience has shown me that it’s not that simple.

Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety can show up in many ways — racing thoughts, physical tension, panic attacks, compulsive behaviors, or the constant fear of judgment or danger. Therapy can help you find relief, clarity, and control.

Trauma Processing & EMDR

Trauma can leave lasting imprints — in your thoughts, your body, and your daily life. Even long after an event has passed, you may find yourself feeling stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed by memories that won’t fade.

Parenting & Couples

In our work together, we’ll explore how to improve communication, identify and shift unhealthy relational patterns, and better balance both the mental and visible loads of parenting and maintaining a relationship.

Our practice is based in Santa Barbara, offering in-person sessions, and is also accessible virtually throughout California.

My Practice

I currently work as part of a small group therapy practice, the Anxiety and Panic Disorder Clinic, located in Santa Barbara, CA. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality, evidence-based care for individuals struggling with anxiety and related concerns.

Every clinician at our clinic has a strong foundation in treating anxiety disorders, but we each bring our own unique areas of specialization and therapeutic style. This diversity allows us to offer comprehensive, personalized care for a wide range of client needs.

Being part of a group practice allows me to focus more fully on what matters most — being present, one-on-one, with my clients. It also enables me to accept insurance, something I value deeply as it helps make therapy more accessible to all who need it.

I feel grateful to work alongside such skilled and compassionate clinicians. The opportunity to consult, collaborate, and learn from one another not only strengthens our clinical work but also ensures that our clients receive thoughtful, well-rounded support throughout their healing process.

Sara Firestone, LMFT