Cassandra Sanchez, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Sanchez is a bilingual, bicultural Assessment Psychologist who is passionate about therapeutic assessment to support children and their families in better understanding the child’s challenges, unique strengths and potential. Dr. Sanchez strongly believes that the therapeutic process should be healing in and of itself and strives to connect with children and their families throughout each session. Dr. Sanchez pulls in cultural humility, Spanish language expertise, interdisciplinary consultation and trauma-informed conceptualization to be able to support every family by honoring their intersecting identities.
Dr. Sanchez completed pre-doctoral clinical training specializing in assessment for children ages birth to 5 with developmental disabilities at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General through the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She then completed her APA-accredited Psychology Predoctoral Internship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) through the University of Southern California (USC) where she gained specialized training in trauma-focused assessment and therapy. To conclude her training, Dr. Sanchez completed a 2-year APA-accredited Postdoctoral Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles with an emphasis in Early Childhood Mental Health.
Dr. Sanchez is highly trained in both assessment and therapy with young children, ages birth to 5, and their families. She has specialized in autism and developmental assessment and teaches and supervises PhD, PsyD, and MD interns and residents at UCSF in comprehensive and therapeutic early childhood assessment. Dr. Sanchez is experienced in DIR/Floortime and Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) for infants and toddlers, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness modalities, Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Making Friends and Staying Safe child abuse prevention group therapy, and Incredible Years (IY) child and parent group therapy.
In her spare time, Dr. Sanchez is passionate about promoting the use of technology to bring mental health resources to underserved communities. Her hobbies include trying new restaurants, reading, going to the beach, practicing Italian, and spending time with her partner and corgi.
Education
- California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University, San Francisco, PsyD in Clinical Psychology
- American School of Professional Psychology (ASPP) at Arogsy University, San Francisco Bay Area, MA in Clinical Psychology
- Santa Clara University Class of 2014, BA in Spanish Studies, BS in Psychology, minor in Public Health Science
Licenses
- Board of Psychology – Licensed Psychologist – PSY33090
Professional Affiliations
- Society for the Teaching of Psychology (APA Division 2)
Languages
- Spanish
Recent Presentations
- Didactic lectures at UCSF for pre-doctoral trainees:
– Structured observation – FEAS and Westby Play Scale
– Consultation with Regional Center, Teachers, Therapists, Doctors, and Other Professionals
– IEP and Record Reviews
– DSM and DC:0-5 Cultural Formulation
– Bayley-III Administration and Interpretation
– NEPSY-II Administration and Interpretation
– Therapeutic Assessment Feedback for Children and Families - Didactic lectures at CHLA for PsyD and PhD pre-doctoral interns and post-doctoral fellows:
– Behavioral Observations and Behavioral Management
– Teleassessment during COVID-19: Take-Aways and Key Teachings
– Teleassessment and the WISC-V Online Administration
– Teleassessment and the CELF-5 Online Administration
– BOSA: Teleassessment Administration
– Conducting Family-Centered Assessment Feedback
– Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Early Childhood
– DIR/Floortime Milestones
– Using Narrative in Child-Parent Psychotherapy
– Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and the DC:0-5 Cultural Formulation
– Telehealth for Early Childhood Mental Health
– Interdisciplinary Skills Workshop: Autism Early Symptoms and Screening
