Sharon Sumler , LMSW

Sharon Sumler is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She brings a calm, strengths-based perspective to work with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and family challenges, addiction, intimacy-related concerns, parenting struggles, anger, self-esteem struggles, career transitions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and related difficulties.

Her practice also addresses more specific areas such as abandonment, adoption and foster care issues, attachment and personality concerns, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, codependency, communication and control problems, co-morbid conditions, and disruptive mood challenges. Sharon draws on a combination of client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior strategies, mindfulness practices, and motivational interviewing to tailor care to each person she meets.

As a licensed social worker, she focuses on practical skills and insight to help clients navigate life transitions, manage symptoms, and improve relationships. Sharon works in English and aims to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where people can explore patterns, build coping skills, and move toward clearer goals. Her approach balances empathy with evidence-informed tools to help clients make meaningful change over time.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Sharon uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive space where clients lead the conversation and set the pace while the therapist offers empathy and understanding. This approach helps people who need a trusting relationship to explore values, identity, and relational patterns.

She also applies cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and to teach practical skills for managing symptoms like anxiety, low mood, and stress. CBT is useful for people seeking structured tools to change patterns that get in the way of daily functioning.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is another part of her toolkit, offering skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT can be especially helpful for those coping with intense emotions or relationship difficulties.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Sharon works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and adjusts methods over time so treatment fits the individual rather than the other way around.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which provide flexibility for scheduling and continuity of care. These formats make it easier to fit sessions into busy lives, access support from home, and maintain momentum between appointments with licensed professionals and therapists.