Dr. Sandra Firth

Dr. Sandra Firth is a clinical psychologist who practices with children, adolescents and adults. She brings 25 years of professional experience and a lifetime of varied personal experiences to her work, blending clinical training with practical life lessons.

Born and raised in Virginia in a large extended family, Dr. Firth began working as a dental assistant while in high school and continued in that role after graduation until she was 20 years and 11 months old. She then joined American Airlines as a stewardess, a position that brought her to Los Angeles and the West Coast where she has lived for much of her life.

When her mother died of cancer, she adopted her seven-year-old brother so she could obtain airline benefits to help support him financially. While continuing to fly, she attended Culver City College part time and balanced work with further education.

In 1977 she married and moved to Sun Valley, Idaho, where she taught skiing. While teaching on weekends she enrolled at Boise State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

Dr. Firth enjoys outdoor activities in both winter and summer, and she shares her home with an Abyssinian cat and a Psychiatric Schnoodle named Tinka. She also enjoys cooking, entertaining and being around people. These varied life experiences have informed and enriched her approach as a psychologist.

She returned to California six years ago from Idaho and currently practices in Palm Desert. She maintains licenses to practice psychology in both California and Idaho, which authorizes her to provide clinical psychological services in each state (California license PSY18839 and Idaho license PSY-202350).

As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Firth has experience treating a wide range of mental health concerns. She has worked with many patients experiencing mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and she reports a positive history of treating bipolar disorder. She provides treatment for patients age three and older, using behavioral modification and cognitive behavioral approaches, and since returning to Palm Springs six years ago she has expanded her practice to include seniors. Dr. Firth is dedicated to helping patients navigate lifeâs challenges and improve their daily functioning.