Therapist
Patricia Sumlin
LMFT
Direct, experienced therapist for practical change
Continue with Patricia
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Step 1
- 25 years experience
- LMFT
- Focus on neurodiversity
About Patricia
Patricia Sumlin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 25 years of experience. She aims to help people who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or worn down by life’s pressures. She speaks plainly, listens closely, and works to build a respectful, honest relationship so clients feel believed and understood.
Patricia uses practical, straightforward methods in sessions. She blends insight-focused conversation with skills training so people leave with tools they can actually use. Her work often centers on managing anxiety, depression, trauma histories, addiction recovery, and the stresses of caregiving and chronic illness.
Her background includes leadership roles in clinic and community settings. She has run DBT groups, managed behavioral health services tied to medical care, and provided counseling in hospice, shelters, and re-entry programs. She has experience working with Native American and Native Alaskan populations and with adults on the autism spectrum who want to better understand Asperger’s and its impact on relationships.
Patricia also focuses on LGBTQIA concerns, disability and neurodiversity issues, and the effects of stigma and workplace bullying. She aims to help clients build emotional regulation, mindfulness, and practical problem-solving. Sessions emphasize clear feedback, education, and skill practice rather than vague theory.
If you’re looking for a direct, experienced clinician who combines compassionate listening with hands-on tools, Patricia offers an approach that balances honesty, respect, and concrete strategies for change.
Patricia uses practical, straightforward methods in sessions. She blends insight-focused conversation with skills training so people leave with tools they can actually use. Her work often centers on managing anxiety, depression, trauma histories, addiction recovery, and the stresses of caregiving and chronic illness.
Her background includes leadership roles in clinic and community settings. She has run DBT groups, managed behavioral health services tied to medical care, and provided counseling in hospice, shelters, and re-entry programs. She has experience working with Native American and Native Alaskan populations and with adults on the autism spectrum who want to better understand Asperger’s and its impact on relationships.
Patricia also focuses on LGBTQIA concerns, disability and neurodiversity issues, and the effects of stigma and workplace bullying. She aims to help clients build emotional regulation, mindfulness, and practical problem-solving. Sessions emphasize clear feedback, education, and skill practice rather than vague theory.
If you’re looking for a direct, experienced clinician who combines compassionate listening with hands-on tools, Patricia offers an approach that balances honesty, respect, and concrete strategies for change.
Step 2
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
AddictionsLGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Gottman MethodJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems
Experience
25+ years
Credentials
California, Washington
Languages
English
Step 3
Therapeutic approaches and how they work online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts without being driven by them and clarifies personal values to guide action. ACT can be useful for anxiety, depression, and when life changes make it hard to move forward.Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how past relationship patterns affect current connections and trust. This approach can help those struggling with intimacy, abandonment concerns, or attachment issues in adult relationships.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with practical experiments. CBT is often used for anxiety, mood concerns, sleep problems, and skills for managing everyday stress.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Patricia will listen to your goals, talk about options, and tailor methods to fit your needs and preferences in a collaborative way.
If you are considering online sessions, confirm the specific session options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people who live far from clinic settings or who have mobility or health limits connect with a licensed professional without an in-person trip.
Step 4
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with people facing anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, relationship and family conflict, and many other concerns listed on her profile.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is direct and practical with an emphasis on teaching skills, building emotional regulation, and using honest feedback alongside insight-oriented talk.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 25 years of clinical experience across community, medical behavioral health, hospice, shelter, and residential settings.
What credentials and region are listed for this clinician?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensed in California and Washington and practices from Washington.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Step 5