About Me

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and light skin, smiling, wearing a cream-colored top and a thin gold necklace, standing against a plain gray wall.

Welcome! I’m Dr. Christina Sandman, a licensed clinical psychologist (CA PSY35984) who offers individual therapy to adults in-person in Pasadena and virtually across the state of California. I have experience providing therapy for a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, chronic health conditions, emotion dysregulation including borderline personality disorder, grief, trauma, life transitions, relationship issues, and identity concerns. I find that a common thread throughout many of these concerns is having your experience dismissed, which you may have tried to cope with through self-criticism, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. Learning to meet yourself with curiosity and compassion can be a helpful antidote.

Education

I earned my B.A. from New York University, where I designed an individualized interdisciplinary major “Emotion in the Mind-Body Problem” drawing from affective neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and music, and also completed a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. I obtained my M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Health Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where I trained in evidence-based psychotherapy and conducted research in the UCLA Anxiety and Depression Research Center.

Experience

My experience spans community mental health clinics, academic medical centers, university counseling centers, and private practice. During my doctoral program I received training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral approaches at the UCLA Psychology Clinic, Anxiety & Depression Research Center, and UCLA’s Innovative Treatment Network / Depression Grand Challenge. I completed my APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Counseling and Psychological Services, where I provided individual and group therapy for students and received training in interpersonal, humanistic, and expressive arts therapies. I completed postdoctoral training in a group private practice, The Clinic of California, where I gained additional expertise in chronic health conditions, medical invalidation, and trauma.

Approach

My style is empathetic, attentive, and non-judgmental, and collaborative. I seek to create an affirming space where all parts of you that you wish to explore are welcomed into the room.

I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and relational approaches. My work is trauma-informed, meaning your safety, autonomy, and trust are prioritized. I value providing culturally sensitive, LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity-affirming care.

My approach is integrative and balanced, meaning that sessions focus both on understanding how the past shapes the present and how we can use this awareness to practically inform where you want to go in your future. I bring careful listening and offer tools to help you feel more grounded, let go of unhelpful narratives, communicate effectively, and live authentically in line with your values. We will work together to deepen your self-trust to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease, flexibility, and creativity.

Values

I think of values as a compass that guides how we approach life. Here are a few of my personal values that inform my work:

  • Compassion

  • Curiosity

  • Lifelong learning

  • Integrity

  • Humility