Sandra Barela

I am a second-generation Mexican American, fully bilingual in English and Spanish, and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California with 16 years of professional experience. Throughout my career, I have supported clients facing stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma, abuse, parenting issues, and depression. I firmly believe that you are the expert of your own story and possess inherent strengths to overcome life’s challenges. Taking the first step toward a more fulfilling and happier life requires courage, and I am here to support you in that journey. In my recent role as Clinical Director at Mary’s Path, a nationally accredited Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) in Santa Ana, California, I have been dedicated to empowering vulnerable teen mothers in foster care and their babies to create lives of dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency. My passion for helping young mothers stems from my own experience as a teen mom, which drives me to break generational cycles of trauma and foster better lives for mothers and their children. My personal experiences with gang violence, grief, and loss have deepened my empathy and understanding of the complex challenges faced by individuals and families in similar situations. These experiences have equipped me with unique insights into the healing process, enabling me to provide compassionate and personalized therapeutic support. I recognize the unique strengths and resilience each individual brings to the healing process and am committed to guiding you through your journey toward healing and self-discovery.