Sharmaine Whitten, LMFT

Sharmaine Whitten is a California-licensed LMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with five years of clinical experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, grief, depression, and major life changes. She approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion and tailors conversations and treatment plans to meet each individual’s specific needs and goals.

Sharmaine draws on a range of evidence-informed methods, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method, and Solution-Focused Therapy, to address challenges such as communication problems, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, panic attacks, and questions about life purpose. Her work often centers on practical coping skills, improving communication, and supporting transitions like pregnancy and childbirth or recovery from loss.

Taking the first step toward a more fulfilling and happier life can require courage; Sharmaine provides steady support and collaborative guidance as clients explore change, build resilience, and move toward greater self-love and emotional balance.

Therapeutic Approaches and Remote Care

Sharmaine often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression and to build practical coping strategies. She also incorporates Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help partners and individuals better understand and respond to emotional needs, which can improve communication and strengthen relationships. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is another approach she draws on - it encourages people to clarify their values and practice mindful action toward meaningful life changes even when difficult feelings arise.

Finding the right approach is part of the process, and Sharmaine works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors techniques and pacing so the work feels relevant and manageable.

Online therapy with Sharmaine includes video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to attend sessions from home or on the go, maintain continuity during life transitions, and access support without added travel time.