Hello and Welcome! I’m Sandra, a LPC and LCDC! Whether you seek therapy to help restore balance in life or you are simply trying to invest in your mental health, I am so glad you found me. Please take time to review this page to determine if I would be a great fit!
Sandra McQuinn, LCDC, LPC, MA
Licensed Professional Counselor (she/her)
- Appointments: Telehealth only
- Manage Medications: Provides therapy and collaborates closely with our psychiatry team for medication management, available through internal referral if needed.
I primarily utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help patients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns, improve emotional regulation, build healthy coping skills, and develop realistic strategies for overcoming life’s challenges. Faith-based support is always optional, patient-directed, and intended to complement-not replace-clinical treatment. My goal is to respect each patient’s beliefs while providing compassionate, ethical, and individualized care. I strongly believe in pet therapy and so if my patients have a dog, I can share some interesting activities and pet care activities (cooking, training etc.) that can be therapeutic for my patient.
Patients often share with me that they appreciate having a therapist who is approachable, nonjudgmental, and willing to listen to difficult or uncomfortable topics without reacting in a way that feels shocking or critical. Many have expressed that they feel understood and accepted, even when discussing experiences, thoughts, or behaviors they may feel ashamed of sharing with others.
One of the unique qualities I bring to therapy is my ability to genuinely connect with my patients through shared life experiences and a broad understanding of the challenges people face. My experience as an adoptive parent, teacher, and school counselor has given me a well-rounded perspective on the challenges families may have in the school setting. I can understand everyone’s viewpoints which helps me develop practical, compassionate solutions in difficult situations. I am also highly experienced with Veterans and First Responders, dealing with trauma and PTSD.
Having lived through many different seasons of life, including difficult times, career changes, personal growth, and major transitions, I am able to meet patients with empathy, authenticity, and a deeper understanding of the struggles they bring into session. Patients often appreciate that I do not approach their experiences from a place of judgment, but rather from a place of compassion and understanding.
Credentials
Education
Master of Arts in Counseling, Wayland Baptist University, 2011
Certifications and Memberships
- Licensed School Counselor
- Teacher (all levels, including Special Education and English as a Second Language)
- ACA Membership
- Certificates in Veteran Training
- Leadership Academy Training Certificate
- EGALA Equine Certificate
Personal Interests
I was born in Canada- Nova Scotia, and grew up on the ocean. I adopted a rescue Dachshund named Nathan, who prefers carrots over treats.
I previously provided Equine Assisted Therapy, and I am an author of a book about horses that some veterinarians use (Horse Owners Guide to Toxic Plants). I also worked as a pet food specialist and have a deep appreciation for the healing bond between people and animals. Above all, being able to help someone feel heard, supported, and capable of moving forward is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. It gives my work a sense of meaning and purpose to be able to help others make life changes.
In-network
Insurance Accepted
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Employers Health Network
- Aetna
- Sana Benefits
- Cigna/Evernorth
- Scott and White Health Plan
- Curative
Specialties and Expertise
Top Specialities
Trauma and PTSD, Veterans
Expertise
- Academic Issues
- ADD / ADHD
- Addiction
- Adoption
- Anger Issues
- Anxiety
- Attachment Trauma or Insecurity
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality
- Boundaries / Assertiveness
- Career Counseling / Professional Growth
- Childhood Abuse or Neglect
- Codependency
- Depression
- Impulse Control Issues
- Life Transitions
- Loss or Grief
- Not Happy or Satisfied with life
- Self-Esteem / Negative Self-Talk
- Social Anxiety
- Social Isolation / Loneliness
- Stress / Burnout
- Substance Use
- Trauma / PTSD
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Treatment Approach
Types of Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Compassion Focused
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Eclectic
- Faith-Based Counseling
- Gestalt
- Intervention Facilitation
- Journal Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Person-Centered (Rogerian)
- Psychological Testing and Evaluation
Client Focus
- Age Groups Served: 10 - 65+
- Services Type: Individual Therapy, Child or Teen Therapy
- Languages Spoken: English