- Skills focused
- Values centered
- Direct and compassionate
About Patricia
Patricia Sumlin is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 25 years of experience. She helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, and relationship problems. She also supports people facing issues tied to identity, parenting, caregiving, and life transitions. Patricia practices in Washington and conducts sessions in English.
Her style is straightforward and practical. She listens carefully, gives clear feedback, and works with each person to build coping tools that fit real life. Patricia emphasizes emotional regulation, mindfulness, and skills clients can use between sessions.
Patricia draws from several therapeutic approaches to tailor care to each person. She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify values and take meaningful action. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy inform her work on patterns, thinking, and emotion regulation. Attachment-based and client-centered ideas shape how she understands relationships and builds trust in the room.
Her background includes work in outpatient clinics, shelter- and residential-based programs, hospice settings, and community programs in Alaska and California. She has experience providing trauma-focused services, group programs, and supports for neurodiverse adults. This range informs a flexible, practical approach to common struggles like burnout, compassion fatigue, and chronic health concerns.
People who choose Patricia can expect a collaborative relationship. Together they set goals, practice skills, and track progress so therapy fits daily life. To begin, readers should use the platform Start Therapy flow to match and schedule a first appointment.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice what matters most and take small, values-driven steps even when emotions are strong. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on patterns of thinking and behavior and offers hands-on exercises for changing unhelpful habits and improving mood and sleep. Dialectical Behavior Therapy offers skills for regulating emotion, tolerating distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can help with intense emotions and relationship struggles.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Patricia will discuss your goals and preferences and try methods that feel useful. The process is collaborative - she adapts tools and homework to your needs and checks in about what helps and what does not.
The therapist's biography did not list specific session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow follow-up check-ins without a long commute. Some people prefer shorter phone check-ins when bandwidth or quiet time is limited, while video sessions allow face-to-face work and skills practice. Discuss scheduling and format preferences when you match so sessions can be arranged to fit your day.
Areas of focus
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Patricia address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting and family concerns, ADHD, and related challenges such as caregiver stress and body image.
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
Her style is practical and straightforward. She blends acceptance and commitment ideas, CBT and DBT skills, attachment-informed perspectives, and client-centered listening to build usable coping tools.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 25 years of clinical experience across outpatient clinics, residential and shelter programs, hospice care, and community treatment settings.
What credentials and location should I know about?
She is an LMFT licensed in California and Washington and practices in Washington state.
Which languages are used in sessions and can people outside the country work together?
Sessions are offered in English. She does not take international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original biography did not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options when you schedule to know whether sessions are online, phone, or in person.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule an appointment according to therapist availability.