Christine Sumner, LMFT

Christine Sumner is a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 24 years of professional experience. She has supported people facing a range of concerns, including LGBT-related issues, relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, complicated grief, and struggles with self-esteem. She approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, listening closely to understand individual circumstances and priorities.

Christine tailors conversations and treatment plans to match each client’s unique needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method. Her practice emphasizes collaborative work to set goals and select techniques that fit a person’s situation and preferences. She recognizes that beginning therapy takes courage and is committed to making the first steps welcoming and achievable for those seeking support.

Based in California, Christine brings decades of clinical experience to help clients navigate difficult transitions, heal from past hurt, and strengthen relationships while honoring their identities and life stories.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support

Christine Sumner uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the client’s own goals and experiences guide the work; this approach helps with self-esteem, identity questions, and building trust in the therapeutic relationship. She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns - a practical approach that can be useful for managing anxiety, depressive symptoms, and reaction patterns after trauma. In addition, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) may be used in relationship-focused work to help partners access underlying emotions and rebuild connection.

Finding the best therapeutic approach is part of the process and is decided collaboratively. Christine will work with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, then recommend and adapt methods that fit the individual or couple.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility, allowing work to continue by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around daily life, maintain consistency in care, and access support from home or another convenient location while working with licensed professionals and therapists who tailor treatment to each client’s needs.