Sharon Sumler, LMSW
Guiding people to clearer stories and practical change
Details
| Name | Sharon Sumler |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LMSW |
| Based in | Michigan |
| Licensed in | Michigan |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 20 |
About Sharon
Sharon Sumler is a Licensed Master Social Worker who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, and relationship struggles. She works with individuals to untangle difficult moments, regain footing, and rebuild self-worth. Sharon speaks plainly and listens with attention so people feel heard and not judged.
Sharon draws on Narrative Therapy to help people tell their stories with more choice and clarity. She also uses Client-Centered techniques to create a warm, respectful space for talking through what matters most.
Background and approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools are offered when practical steps and new thinking patterns can ease day-to-day distress. With about 20 years of experience, Sharon has supported people facing trauma, grief, parenting strain, intimacy concerns, and work or career stress. She also addresses issues such as ADHD, compassion fatigue, and mood challenges in straightforward terms.
Her background includes work across a broad range of life stages and situations in Michigan. Sessions focus on what the person wants to change. Conversations identify patterns in thoughts, feelings, and actions, and then test small, manageable changes.
Sharon helps people notice different stories they tell about themselves and try new ways of responding. Her approach aims to be practical and steady. People who want a conversational therapist who suggests concrete strategies often connect well with her style.
Sharon encourages realistic goals and the small steps that lead toward them.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship issues among the things Sharon works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Depression
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Hoarding
- Jealousy
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Sexual assault and abuse
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Sharon among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Sharon among the ways she works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Sharon among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Sharon among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Sharon among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Sharon among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Sharon among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Sharon directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Sharon directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Narrative and Practical Therapies Work Online
Sharon combines Narrative Therapy with client-centered listening and cognitive behavioral techniques to help people untangle painful patterns and test new ways of living. Narrative Therapy looks at the stories people tell about themselves and helps separate the person from the problem so they can try different responses. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the person leads the conversation and the therapist reflects and supports. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying practical changes to behavior and routines.Choosing the right approach is a team effort. Sharon will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has worked or not worked before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made, keeping the work practical and focused on what the person wants to change.
Online sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different lifestyles. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation; phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier during a busy day. Live chat and messaging let people check in with shorter updates or continue work between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, parenting, or other daily demands while keeping momentum in the work.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of concerns does Sharon help with?
She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, parenting strain, anger, self-esteem, career problems, bipolar concerns, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style blends Narrative Therapy with client-centered listening and practical CBT or DBT skills when useful. Sessions are conversational and focused on finding workable changes.
What is her experience and background?
She has about 20 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of concerns and life stages in Michigan.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Master Social Worker - LMSW - and practices from Michigan.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Sessions can be done by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin therapy?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Sharon are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Sharon where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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