Charlene Sims

Hope-focused therapy with practical skills

LMFT California

Experience: 8 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Depression
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Charlene

Charlene Sims is a licensed marriage and family therapist who focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship challenges, trauma, grief, and self-esteem concerns.

Background and approach

With eight years of clinical experience, she frames therapy around each person's strengths and lived experience, working collaboratively to address what feels most pressing in daily life. Charlene emphasizes empowering clients to better understand patterns that contribute to emotional pain and to build practical skills for coping and change.

Her style blends evidence-informed methods with empathic, person-centered work. She draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and from Dialectical Behavior Therapy and mindfulness practices to increase emotional regulation and present-moment awareness.

Solution-focused techniques help set clear, achievable goals while trauma-focused elements support recovery from past harms. Charlene holds an LMFT and practices in California, inviting clients who are ready to engage in respectful, strengths-based change.

Therapeutic approaches for online care and skill building

Charlene uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients notice and reframe unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, a practical approach that can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and panic. She also incorporates client-centered therapy principles, which prioritize listening, empathy, and the client's own goals so the work reflects each individual's values and experiences. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and mindfulness practices are used to strengthen emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and present-moment awareness, which can be helpful for people coping with intense emotions or trauma.

Finding the right mix of approaches is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist will work with clients to identify their needs, preferences, and goals, then adapt techniques from these methods to create a plan that feels workable and focused on meaningful change.

Online therapy with Charlene is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, allow clients to access care from home, and support ongoing practice of skills between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns can be addressed in sessions?

Charlene works with a range of issues including stress, anxiety, anger, depression, ADHD, relationship and LGBT concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, and self-esteem difficulties.

What is the therapist's general approach to treatment?

The approach blends client-centered listening with practical strategies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, and solution-focused techniques to help clients build skills and meet personal goals.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

She brings eight years of professional experience working with clients on a variety of emotional and life challenges.

What are the therapist's credentials and where is she located?

Charlene is an LMFT practicing in California; her license is listed as CA LMFT 105439.

Can I work with this therapist if I live outside the United States?

International clients are not currently accepted; she provides services to clients located in California.

Which session formats are offered for online care?

Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.

How are sessions priced and billed?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are involved to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAnger managementDepression ADHD

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse Grief Self esteem

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsControl issuesDomestic violenceForgivenessIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

8+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English