- ACT
- DBT
- CBT
About Patricia
Patricia Sumlin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 25 years of clinical experience based in Washington. She works with adults who are managing stress, anxiety, relationship strains, trauma, depression, addiction issues, parenting challenges, anger, and other life disruptions. Patricia writes plainly and directly; she aims to help people gain practical skills for day-to-day coping.
She combines several evidence-informed approaches to create straightforward, practical sessions. Patricia uses clear feedback, education, and skill teaching to help people regulate emotions and reduce reactive behavior. She emphasizes boundaries, honest communication, and developing tools that can be used outside sessions.
Her background includes work in community mental health, medical behavioral health, residential programs, and hospice settings. That experience shaped her focus on trauma, chronic illness, addiction, and grief. She has also worked with Native American and Native Alaskan populations and ran DBT groups in outpatient settings.
Patricia often helps people who are recovering from traumatic bonding or narcissistic abuse, adults on the autism spectrum seeking to understand Asperger’s, and members of the LGBTQIA community navigating identity and relationship concerns. She addresses visible and invisible disabilities, ADHD, learning differences, workplace bullying, and internalized oppression.
Sessions emphasize building skills for emotion regulation, mindfulness, and practical problem solving. Patricia aims to create a respectful, direct working relationship that supports steady progress. To begin, clients complete a short questionnaire and schedule a first session through the site's online options.
How Patricia’s approaches translate to online work
Patricia uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy as core tools. ACT focuses on clarifying values and taking small steps toward them while learning to live with uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. It can help when anger gets in the way of meaningful relationships and goals. DBT teaches concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication, which is useful for managing sudden outbursts or recurring resentment.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Patricia will work with each person to figure out which methods fit their goals, daily demands, and how they prefer to learn new skills. She offers practical guidance and adjusts techniques as progress is made.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm the current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Some formats also reduce the need to be on camera or to travel across town, which can help someone keep momentum while managing life responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
California, Washington
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, relationship and family concerns, parenting, anger, grief, and related issues.
What is her general approach in sessions?
She uses direct, practical work that teaches emotion regulation and coping skills. Sessions include feedback, education, and hands-on practice.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 25 years of clinical experience across community, residential, medical behavioral health, and hospice settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMFT licensed in California (CA LMFT) and Washington (WA LMFT LF) and practices from Washington.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions scheduled and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.