Find Group Therapy & Support Groups in California in person or online

Sarah Appleton is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Professional Clinical Counselor in California with more than 15 years of experience. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California State University Bakersfield, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from California State University Bakersfield, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University Fresno. Sarah believes that a therapeutic relationship can offer a supportive and encouraging environment to explore current struggles, understand how one’s history impacts the present and develop new strategies to build a full and satisfying life. She has experience with individuals suffering from a range of concerns including anxiety and depression. Sarah tailors a treatment plan to each individual based on their needs and often utilizes cognitive behavioral principles. Sarah is passionate about assisting couples and families to improve their communication strategies and nurture important connections. Whether you have a good relationship that you’d like to make even better or want to heal a relationship that is hurting, Sarah can facilitate conversations and activities that build new skills and improve connections. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys spending time with family, reading and playing with her goldendoodles.

Dr. Caitlyn Francis is a Licensed Psychologist, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and a Credentialed Health Service Psychologist. Caitlyn practices in person at LifeStance Health in Folsom, California, and via telehealth across California. She is excited to meet you! She provides psychological assessments, parent training, individual and family therapy, and consultation for emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and neurodevelopmental issues. Caitlyn utilizes Coping Cat and CAT Project CBT for pediatric anxiety and employs CBT strategies such as behavioral activation for depression. She creates a warm, structured therapeutic environment where families can better understand their child’s needs, build resilience, and strengthen interpersonal relationships. Caitlyn approaches her work with a balanced, child-centered perspective supporting both caregivers and youth through emotionally complex transitions. Her approach promotes stability, reduces conflict, and prioritizes each child’s long-term emotional well-being. Her APA-accredited internship at The Help Group in Sherman Oaks specialized her in neurodevelopmental disabilities (i.e., autism spectrum disorder and ADHD) in outpatient and non-public school settings. She graduated from the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program and is a certified UCLA PEERS® provider, enjoying social skills training and executive functioning support. Her two-year Clinical-Child Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles trained her in Child and Family Community Psychology. She has a special interest in working with Spanish-speaking families affected by migration-related trauma, offering evaluations and interventions such as TF-CBT, Seeking Safety, and ARC, integrating clinical, cultural, and advocacy approaches. Caitlyn collaborates with caregivers to help them understand their child’s diagnosis, strengthen family bonds, improve communication, and build resilience. She helps families identify their strengths, foster positive experiences, and navigate systems such as special education. She works closely with caregivers to ensure that progress continues beyond therapy into daily routines, school environments, and family life. Her goal is to empower families through parent training, notably the evidence-based Incredible Years® program, to foster hope and understanding and prevent future challenges. Caitlyn enjoys spending time with her family, exploring restaurants, attending cultural events, enjoying nature, and engaging with her church community.