Cindy Stava, LPCC, CSAT

I earned a master’s degree in industrial psychology at California State University, Long Beach, and a master’s in clinical counseling at the Townsend Institute at Concordia University in Irvine, CA. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, a certified sex dependency therapist and an EMDR Certified Therapist. I have worked extensively with the LGBTQIA+ community and individuals in polyamorous relationships.

I believe that counseling is an opportunity for a counselor to come alongside someone in their journey by building trust and providing support in a non-judgmental and safe environment. There is healing and recovery from sexual dependency. I have a special interest in complex trauma, neuroscience and working with LGBTIA+ individuals and those struggling with childhood attachment wounds.I’ve seen tremendous growth in clients as they work through traumatic childhood experiences perpetuated in their adult lives. Using modalities specific to complex trauma, including EMDR, DBT, and CBT, we work together to understand your trauma, learn new coping skills, and move forward in intimate and connected ways with others. Some have never experienced these types of relationships. I am humbled by the opportunity to help and empower my clients throughout their recovery journey. Expect from me depth, curiosity, authenticity, compassion, directness, humor and presence.

Much of my career has been spent working with men struggling with porn dependency, sex dependency, substance abuse, and the fusion of meth and sex. I began my career working with an organization contracted with the state and federal government to offer treatment for sex offenders in California. I then worked for a recovery center providing intensive substance abuse and sex dependency-directed therapy for clients.