Cynthia Stern, LMFT — Therapist in California

Hi there, I'm Cynthia!

I'm an LMFT and Certified Mental Performance Consultant®. I help athletes, executives, and high performers break through the mental blocks and anxiety that get in the way of their potential. My approach is direct and collaborative and we target root causes, not just symptoms.

My focus

My ideal client is someone standing at their own version of 4th and goal, facing a high-stakes decision, transition, or performance moment where the pressure has started to work against them instead of for them. This includes those who are used to performing well but have hit a mental block, a plateau, or a pattern that's getting in the way.

My approach

My approach centers on collaborative partnerships to cultivate a high-performance mindset and unlock fullest potential. Together, we address performance anxiety and plateaus, leadership challenges, identity, career transitions, and retirement.

My communication style

I bring clear, direct communication to create an honest, collaborative space. I'll ask pointed questions and give you space to reflect, working as an engaged partner rather than a passive listener. If we're working through something challenging, expect me to be steady and straightforward.

My goals for you

Our work follows a clear arc: we identify the specific mental blocks, patterns, or anxieties getting in your way, then build tools tailored to your situation, reframing negative thought patterns, working through a relational pattern, or preparing for a high-pressure moment before it happens. Sessions build on each other each week.

Our first session

Your first session is about getting oriented, not diving into everything at once. We'll start with what brought you in, such as the situation, the pressure point, or the pattern you're trying to understand, and I'll ask questions to get a clear picture of your history, your goals, and what's actually been getting in the way.

I identify as...

Female
Caucasian or White

Expertise

Specialties

Sports Performance

Anxiety

Life Transitions

+ 3 more

Treatment approaches

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Motivational Interviewing

Attachment-based

Dialectical (DBT)

Humanistic

Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

+ 7 more

Focus populations

BIPOC

+ 1 more

Therapy types

Individual Therapy

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

Aetna
Allegiance
Allied
Arlo (Cigna)
Centivo

+ 18 more

Languages spoken

English

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) in Organizational Leadership from Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a Master of Science (MS) in Counseling, Psychology from Marriage and Family Therapy - Mount St Mary's University.

Sessions

60 minutes

Virtual sessions

Cynthia Stern