- Codependency support
- Trauma recovery
- LGBTQIA care
About Patricia
Patricia Sumlin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 25 years of clinical experience. She helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, trauma, or codependency. Patricia takes a straightforward and compassionate approach so people feel heard and not judged.
Her style is practical and focused on building skills that make daily life more manageable. She blends insight-oriented conversation with hands-on strategies to regulate emotions and reduce reactivity. The work often includes learning new ways to set boundaries and to rebuild trust in oneself.
Patricia's background includes leading programs in a range of settings, from outpatient clinics and DBT groups to community programs serving people with chronic illness, homelessness, substance use, and trauma. She has experience supporting Native American and Native Alaskan communities and has worked in medical behavioral health and hospice settings.
Today she focuses on adults coping with depression, anxiety tied to trauma histories, recovery from traumatic bonding or narcissistic abuse, and adults on the autism spectrum who want to understand Asperger's and its effects on relationships. She also provides clinical care for people in the LGBTQIA community and those facing disability-related and neurodiversity concerns.
Patricia aims to build an honest, collaborative relationship with each person. The goal is to help people gain confidence, practical coping skills, and a greater sense of stability so they can move forward with clearer choices.
Therapeutic approaches that translate well to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, often called ACT, focuses on helping people clarify what matters to them and take actions that match their values. It uses mindfulness and practical exercises to reduce avoidance and increase committed action, which can help with anxiety, codependency, and life transitions.Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns of connection and trust. It helps people notice how they relate to others, practice new interaction habits, and build more secure ways of being in relationships, useful for intimacy and relationship concerns.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped in the past. Together they try methods that fit the person's needs and adjust as progress is made.
Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, such as scheduling a short check-in during a lunch break or avoiding travel time. It can also support different communication styles, for example by allowing more talk-based work or using screen sharing for worksheets. Confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered and how scheduling will work.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Credentials
California, Washington
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Patricia help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, intimacy issues, eating and sleeping problems, parenting strain, self-esteem, ADHD, and codependency among other concerns.
What is her general therapy style?
Her approach blends practical skill building with insight-oriented conversation. Sessions focus on emotion regulation, boundary work, and tools people can apply in daily life.
How long has she been practicing?
She brings 25 years of clinical experience across multiple settings, including outpatient clinics, DBT groups, behavioral health programs, and hospice counseling.
What credential does she hold and where is she located?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensed in California and Washington, and she practices in Washington state.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees structured?
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 based on the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.