- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Life purpose questions
About Sandra
Sandra Festa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey with 38 years of professional experience. She works with adults who are coping with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, low self-esteem, motivation struggles, and depression. Sandra also addresses control issues, guilt and shame, loneliness, life purpose questions, mood disorders, and women's issues.
Her approach is practical and conversational. Sessions focus on identifying what feels stuck and the small, doable steps a person can try next. She listens for patterns that keep problems repeating and helps people notice options they might not have seen before.
Sandra adapts the way she talks and plans work to each person's situation. She outlines clear goals and checks in about progress. Expect direct conversation about thoughts, feelings, and everyday behaviors that drive stress and low mood.
She encourages people to test changes between sessions and report back what worked. That feedback shapes the next steps. When life shifts - a job change, a breakup, or a health concern - she helps people sort what matters now and what can wait.
Sessions are conducted in English from her New Jersey practice. The first meeting tends to focus on current concerns, immediate coping, and one or two realistic next steps to try before the following session.
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions can work
Many clinicians use evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on thoughts, behaviors, and emotion regulation. Cognitive approaches look at unhelpful thinking patterns and teach ways to test and change those thoughts; this can help with anxiety and low mood. Behavioral strategies break problems into specific actions, encouraging small experiments and routines that reduce stress and build confidence. Skills-based emotion work teaches ways to notice, name, and manage strong feelings so they cause less disruption in daily life.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which techniques fit their goals, concerns, and preferences. That means checking after a few sessions and adjusting methods if something is not helpful.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the current online options before booking. Many people find virtual sessions make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow check-ins during work breaks or between errands. Phone sessions can be useful when managing bandwidth or when a shorter, simpler check-in is needed. Ask which formats are offered so you can choose the option that best fits your schedule and daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
38+ years
Listed in
New Jersey
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, low self-esteem, motivation challenges, and depression. Additional focus areas include control issues, forgiveness, guilt and shame, isolation and life purpose.
How would she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
She uses a practical, conversational approach that identifies patterns and tests small changes between sessions. The focus is on concrete steps and checking what works for you.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 38 years of professional work experience in social work and mental health settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in New Jersey and practices from that state.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking so you know whether video, phone, or in-person sessions are offered.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.