Always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and twice as beautiful as you've ever imagined.
- Dr. Seuss
Marla Sanderson, LMFT
Senior Therapist, Clinical Director
Professional Profile
Marla is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in both Texas and California. She enjoys reading, cooking, crafting, video games and spending time with her two rescue dogs. She has a Masters in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology. Marla has over ten years of experience working in the mental health field and most recently worked as a clinical supervisor for a school based program that provided therapy to over 20 schools. Her experience includes juvenile justice, running an intensive therapeutic at a non-public school, ERMHS, crisis work, substance usage, LGBTQ+ and gender fluid populations. She has also worked within private practice medical models. Marla is fully trained in EMDR and is working toward certification.
Specialties
Abandonment
ADHD
Anxiety
Attachment
Bipolar
Body Image
Caregivers
Depression
Eating
Grief Loss
LGBTQ Transitions
Mood
OCD
PTSD
Panic
Parenting
Perfectionism
Relationship
Self Esteem
Stress
Substance
Trauma
Insurance
Aetna, Oscar, Optum, Oxford, Sana, United, Private Pay / Self Pay
Welcome
Great work! You've already made your first steps toward enacting positive change. My goal as a therapist is to help give you insight into "why you do (or act) the way you do" and to provide support in teaching you ways to cope and deal with the curve balls that life throws.
How I Work
Therapy for Adults: I will use a strength-based, culturally-attuned, person-centered, and trauma-focused lens when we work together, meeting you where you are at. I will work to create a safe space using empathy, sensitivity, and humor. This safe space will serve as a container that will allow you to process your life experiences, and to enhance your self-awareness. We will work in a collaborative manner to create goals and to design a pathway to change. I will challenge you to push yourself in thinking outside of your "normal" ways and to walk down the road "less traveled".
If you are suffering from anxiety and/or trauma, I specialize in a treatment called EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). EMDR is a specialized treatment that is designed to decrease the negative symptoms and distress that are a result of traumatic or disturbing life experiences. EMDR can be helpful for phobias, specific anxiety, PTSD, trauma histories (single and repeated), along with many other issues that might be causing distress, fear or worry.
As a therapist, I strive to always be honest with my clients, open to feedback and to work in a collaborative manner. It is my focus to assist you in reaching the goals that YOU want to achieve.
Therapy for Teens and School-Aged Children: Trauma, ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression can play havoc with your child's ability to thrive and be happy, but also can negatively affect their grades, cognitive abilities and emotional regulation. I am here to help.
For those with children in educational settings, my unique background and experience allow me to provide insight, education, guidance, and support in navigating the school system. Things like IEP's (individualized education program), 504 plans, ERMHS (educationally related mental health services) and correct placement can make all of the difference in your child's chances for success. I will work collaboratively with you to find the best strategy for your child.
For children and adolescents, Individual therapy is focused on helping them to gain insight, and to learn skills and tools to navigate life in a more healthy and adaptive manner. This can be done through play and art for the younger ones and a mixture of play/art and more traditional talk therapy for older children and teens. In addition, family therapy can be essential in reinforcing the structure and tools they need to be successful and can help you as a parent to understand your unique child.
