Patricia Sumlin , LMFT

Patricia Sumlin is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 25 years of clinical experience helping people navigate complex emotional and relational challenges. She combines evidence-informed methods with a straightforward, compassionate manner to support clients working through anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and family concerns, addictions, grief, neurodiversity issues such as ADHD and Asperger's, and identity matters including LGBT concerns. Patricia emphasizes practical skill building alongside insight so clients develop tools to manage emotions, improve relationships, and regain a sense of stability and competence.

Her background includes leadership and hands-on roles across diverse settings - from creating DBT groups and directing behavioral health services to providing trauma-informed care in rural and Indigenous communities and offering end-of-life and bereavement support. That breadth of experience informs a culturally aware, systems-oriented approach that honors each person’s story and context. Patricia draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and client-centered principles to tailor treatment to individual needs.

Patricia is known for being direct, nonjudgmental, and respectful, prioritizing honest collaboration with clients as they set goals and practice new skills. Her practice stresses clear boundaries, practical strategies, and education so people gain confidence in their capacity to cope, build resilience, and pursue meaningful change in their lives.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Patricia uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients clarify personal values, develop psychological flexibility, and take meaningful action despite difficult thoughts or feelings. ACT can be useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions where getting unstuck is a goal.

Attachment-Based Therapy is another core approach Patricia employs; it focuses on understanding how early relationship patterns shape current bonds and emotional responses. This work supports people working through intimacy issues, attachment wounds, and relational conflict by strengthening healthier ways of connecting.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides structured skills for regulating intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and enhancing interpersonal effectiveness. DBT techniques are especially helpful for clients who struggle with emotional reactivity, self-harm urges, or chronic relationship turmoil.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Patricia works with clients to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and she blends methods to create an individualized plan that feels practical and doable.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage in this work through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and access support from licensed professionals without geographic constraints.