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CW Portrait of Cheryl Wharton

Cheryl Wharton

Healing relationships and personal resilience

LMFT California

Experience
30 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Cheryl

About Cheryl

Cheryl Wharton is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in California with 30 years of clinical experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, grief, addiction, trauma, and major life changes.

Background and approach

She focuses on creating a supportive environment where clients feel heard and valued while working toward practical shifts in day-to-day life and relationships. Cheryl emphasizes strengths, resilience, and authenticity as foundations for change and growth.

Her approach blends cognitive behavioral techniques with client-centered, mindfulness, existential, and dialectical skills to address emotional regulation, communication, and coping strategies. Cheryl describes therapy as a collaborative process that examines the psychological, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of a person’s life.

She brings both extensive professional practice and lived experience to her work, aiming to help clients move from surviving toward thriving. Cheryl invites people who want to build healthier relationships, overcome fear or isolation, or find renewed purpose to begin with clear goals and a compassionate, practical plan.

She frames sessions around respect, openness, and real-world tools that support long-term well-being.

Integrating evidence-based approaches with online access

Cheryl draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can ease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to create an accepting, empathetic space where the client's perspective and values guide the pace and goals of work. These approaches are often paired with mindfulness and dialectical strategies to support emotional regulation, healthier communication, and resilience.

Choosing the right therapeutic approach is part of the work itself, and Cheryl approaches this collaboratively. She listens to each person’s concerns, goals, and preferences and then tailors methods that fit their situation, adjusting tools and strategies as the relationship and needs evolve.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access consistent support while balancing everyday responsibilities, and they allow for ongoing skill practice and check-ins between live visits.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Cheryl commonly address?
She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy-related problems, parenting and family difficulties, bipolar challenges, and help coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style and approach?
Her style is collaborative and client-centered, integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with DBT, mindfulness, existential perspectives, and motivational interviewing to build coping skills and self-awareness.
How much clinical experience does she bring?
She has practiced professionally for 30 years and combines formal training with extensive hands-on experience in counseling individuals and families.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the LMFT credential and is licensed in California under CA LMFT 39140.
Does she offer services in multiple languages or to international clients?
Sessions are provided in English, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available for working together?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and availability.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved in beginning therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesDepression

Also works with

AddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

30+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English