- 30 years experience
- Direct compassionate style
- Uses therapeutic writing
About Sharon
Sharon (Shonnie) Brown helps people facing stress, relationship problems, grief, work strain, and money and financial issues. She is a California licensed marriage and family therapist with 30 years of experience and a direct, compassionate style. Sharon often works with people dealing with major life transitions, separation and divorce, and struggles with self-esteem and intimacy.
Sharon trained at the University of California, Berkeley (B.A.) and earned an M.A. in counseling psychology from JFK University in Orinda, California. She has spent decades working with individuals and couples and has led groups on separation, co-parenting, infidelity, and social anxiety. Writing is part of her toolkit, and she sometimes uses therapeutic writing as a way to process emotion.
Her approach is straightforward and warm. She uses client-centered listening alongside cognitive tools and elements from attachment and existential ideas. Sessions typically include goal setting, coping skills, mindfulness, and, when helpful, writing exercises to track feelings or progress.
Sharon pays attention to how early attachment and family of origin issues shape current patterns. She also addresses the practical fallout of those patterns - for example, trouble managing anger, difficulty self-soothing, problems with intimacy, and struggles around money and life purpose. Her work aims to build greater self-compassion and stronger emotional regulation.
People who choose her can expect conversational, honest sessions that move at a steady pace. She encourages small, manageable steps and focuses on tools that help day-to-day life. To begin, readers should use the site Start Therapy button to match and schedule according to availability.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Sharon combines attachment-based ideas and cognitive behavioral techniques into an accessible online approach. Attachment-based work looks at how early relationships shape current reactions and helps people notice patterns in closeness and trust. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying small behavioral experiments to change daily habits and mood.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Sharon will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and comfort level. She explains options, tries approaches together, and adjusts as progress and feedback guide the process.
Confirm current session options before booking to learn which online formats are offered. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, shorten commute time, and allow focused check-ins between work or caregiving commitments. For some people writing exercises or mindfulness practices translate well to remote sessions and can be done between meetings or during a quiet break.
Areas of focus
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Sharon help with?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, grief, parenting and money and financial issues among other life challenges.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is honest and direct while remaining compassionate. She blends listening with practical tools like goal setting, coping skills, mindfulness, and writing exercises.
What is her professional background?
She holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley and an M.A. in counseling psychology from JFK University and has practiced as a therapist for 30 years.
What credential does she hold and where is she located?
She is a California LMFT and is based in California.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.