Sheila Owens, LCSW

Sheila Owens is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California (CA LCSW 115925) who combines eight years of licensed clinical experience with three decades of prior work as a case manager and case coordinator in the mental health field. She has also been active in community efforts to reduce the stigma around mental health, bringing an advocacy perspective to her clinical work.

Sheila has an extensive background supporting adults with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, motivation and self-esteem challenges, and a range of other mental health diagnoses and life transitions. Her practice addresses issues such as bipolar disorder, grief, trauma and abuse, parenting and family difficulties, career-related stress, and concerns related to identity and relationships, including work with LGBT clients.

Sheila draws on a range of therapeutic approaches, including client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), EMDR, and mindfulness-based techniques, tailoring these methods to each person she works with. She is known for treating people with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and for collaborating with clients to design individualized treatment plans. Sheila aims to support and empower clients as they take steps toward greater well-being and more satisfying, resilient lives.

Therapeutic Approaches and Accessible Online Care

Sheila Owens uses client-centered therapy to create a collaborative space where the client’s needs and goals guide the work; this approach emphasizes empathy and respect and can be helpful for improving self-esteem, communication, and relationship issues. She also applies cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress and to build practical coping skills. Additionally, Sheila incorporates dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) strategies when appropriate to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills useful for managing intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Sheila collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques over time so the treatment plan stays aligned with progress and changing priorities.

Online therapy with Sheila is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, giving flexibility to fit therapy into busy schedules and different circumstances. These options can make it easier to access consistent care from licensed professionals and keep momentum in the therapeutic process even when in-person visits are not practical.