Sharon Sumler, LMSW

Sharon Sumler is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) based in Michigan with 20 years of experience. She focuses on helping people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, addiction, relationship and family struggles, depression, trauma, grief, and parenting challenges. Sharon aims to offer a steady presence for people who need someone to talk with and to feel understood.

Her approach centers on listening first and tailoring work to each person's needs. She draws on Client-Centered Therapy to build a respectful, nonjudgmental space. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are used to help people develop practical skills for managing emotions and behavior. Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing are also part of her toolkit for supporting change.

Sharon has worked across a wide range of concerns, including intimacy issues, anger, self-esteem, career questions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and major life transitions. She also notes additional focus areas such as adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, blended family issues, attachment concerns, and aging-related matters.

People who prefer plain language and clear steps often find her style accessible. Sessions tend to focus on identifying immediate problems, learning concrete coping strategies, and setting small goals. Her background in social work informs a practical emphasis on problem solving and building supports.

Sharon speaks English and works with adults in Michigan. If you want to learn more about working together, the next steps are outlined in the FAQ and start process on this profile.

How these approaches work in online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental listening stance where the therapist follows each person's pace and concerns. This approach helps people feel heard and shapes the work around their goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on noticing unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors; it often involves short exercises and skill practice to reduce anxiety or depression. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides concrete emotion-regulation and distress-tolerance skills useful for strong emotions and relationship challenges.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Sharon will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs and goals. That conversation includes looking at what helps quickly and what takes more time, and adjusting as progress is made.

The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by avoiding travel time and allowing shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people use techniques practiced in everyday settings, such as mindfulness exercises or behavioral experiments, so skills are tested in real life rather than only in session.