Patricia Sumlin

Patricia Sumlin brings 25 years of clinical experience to her work with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, family conflict, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, grief, and a wide range of other concerns.

She holds marriage and family therapy licenses in both California (CA LMFT 44844) and Washington (WA LMFT LF 60059026) and integrates a range of training into her clinical practice. Her approach blends psychodynamic perspectives with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and systems theory so clients have access to current, evidence-informed methods. She emphasizes a supportive, insight-oriented, practical, and straightforward style while adhering to professional ethical and legal standards.

Patricia aims to build an honest, respectful, collaborative therapeutic alliance that supports skill building, emotional regulation, and increased confidence. She is known for an honest and direct manner that remains non-judgmental, helping people feel believed and valued while maintaining clear boundaries and practical feedback.

Her background includes work in private practice and the creation of an outpatient clinic offering DBT groups for both men and women diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. She has served as clinical director of a medical behavioral health program focused on chronic illness, provided mental health, substance-abuse, and HIV/AIDS services at a homeless shelter, led an all-men’s dual-diagnosis residential program, and delivered trauma-informed treatment across the 56 Yupik villages of Alaska. Patricia also worked in a recidivism re-entry program for ex-offenders from San Quentin and Folsom State Prisons and provided death-and-dignity counseling and bereavement services at the first hospice in the United States.

Currently her focus includes working with people living with depression, anxiety rooted in trauma histories, recovery from traumatic bonding and narcissistic abuse, and adults on the autistic spectrum seeking to understand Asperger’s and its effects on relationships and daily life. She also provides services for the LGBTQIA community addressing sexual orientation, gender identity, coming-out stages, intimacy and social stigma, family and relationship conflict, parenting, employment concerns, and advocacy. Patricia is especially committed to addressing visible and invisible disability issues and neurodiversity, including ADD/ADHD and dyslexia, and to exploring how disability rights, learning styles, inclusiveness, ableism, workplace bullying, and internalized oppression affect well-being.

Patricia’s experience and varied roles are intended to give prospective clients confidence in her ability to help foster greater resilience, authenticity, and wellbeing. She believes most people are already doing their best and that with motivation, willingness, and commitment they can develop greater competence and stability in their lives.