Cindy Mayer, MFT #114480
(805) 882-2424 x 108
Treatment Philosophy and Approaches
Cindy’s approach to working with clients is holistic with consideration for the whole person and their life context. She supports a client’s healing and growth by fostering an environment in which a client can feel safe, supported, and accepted. This allows the client to tap into their strengths, creativity, core values, and inner wisdom, leading to understanding and change. Therapeutic modalities include family systems, humanistic/person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral models, mindfulness, somatic experience, EMDR, as well as narrative and reality therapy.
Professional Interests and Specialties
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Cindy works with varied clients including teens, adults (ranging from young to old), couples, and families. Client concerns include depression, anxiety, relationship challenges with partner or spouse, family challenges, and life transitions (new school, college, career, launching children, divorce) as well as helping clients with self-discovery, coping with health changes, and end-of-life concerns. She works to help people recover from, let go of, and come to terms with whatever it is that holds them back and causes them suffering.
Education and Training
M.A. in Clinical Psychology – Antioch University, Healthy Aging Concentration
M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology – Illinois State University
B.S. in Psychology and Sociology – Illinois State University
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) training through the Center for Creative Mindfulness
Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Specialized training from the Alzheimer’s Association in working with the effects of neurocognitive disorders on individuals and their family members and caregivers.
Professional Experience
Cindy’s previous clinical experience includes working as an Associate MFT at New Beginnings Counseling Center, The Center for Successful Aging, Family Service Agency’s Caregiver Mental Health and Support program, and in private practice.
In addition to her role as a Marriage and Family Therapist Cindy’s background includes 20+ years in the corporate environment focused on talent development, leadership, employee training and mentorship, and executive coaching. She is a lecturer at UCSB, with teaching specialties in leadership and human resource/talent management.
Personal Life
Cindy strives to live a value driven life with the same holistic framework and authenticity she brings to her practice. She continually engages in coursework and training to expand her knowledge and awareness of mental health approaches/treatments, nutrition, neurobiology, physiology, and whole-body health and wellness. Activities include a personal mindfulness practice, healthy cooking, cycling and strength training, hiking, and spending quality time with her family, her dog, and friends. She makes a conscious choice to live her life with consideration for the well-being of all people, the environment, and the animals and creatures with whom we share the planet.