- Family of origin issues
- Anxiety and depression
- Communication problems
About Cheryl
Cheryl Wharton is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 30 years of clinical experience. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, family issues, depression, grief, and changes in life roles. Cheryl also lists support for addictions, intimacy concerns, parenting struggles, anger, self-esteem, and family of origin issues.
She draws on a mix of client-centered work, cognitive behavioral tools, dialectical behavior strategies, existential ideas, and mindfulness practices. Sessions focus on clear, practical steps people can use between meetings. Cheryl encourages straightforward conversations about current patterns and how childhood and family of origin experiences keep showing up now.
In her approach she listens for strengths and patterns people already use to cope. She helps identify small changes that reduce anxiety and improve communication. Cheryl frames work around improving daily routines, reactions to stress, and how people relate to others.
Cheryl describes therapy as a space to notice habits, try different responses, and practice new ways of being. She often addresses commitment issues, codependency, communication problems, blended family concerns, and recovery from separation or infidelity. Her goal is practical change rather than labels.
Her background includes a degree in psychology and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. She combines professional experience with life experience to help people shift from feeling stuck to making steady changes. Cheryl conducts sessions in English and works from California.
Approaches and how online sessions are handled
Cheryl commonly integrates client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy in sessions. Client-centered work focuses on listening closely to what matters to the person and using that material to shape the work. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns.She also uses dialectical behavior therapy techniques when emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness are central concerns. DBT skills can help people manage intense emotions, reduce destructive reactions, and improve communication in relationships.
Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Cheryl collaborates with each person to match methods to their goals, needs, and preferences. She will discuss what seems most useful and adjust the plan as work unfolds.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Many people find that remote sessions let them practice new skills in the settings where they live and relate.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, depression, grief, addictions, and related issues such as codependency and communication problems.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her work uses client-centered listening alongside cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior techniques, with mindfulness and existential ideas woven in.
How much experience does she have?
She has 30 years of professional counseling experience and combines that with her academic training in psychology and marriage and family therapy.
Where is she licensed and located?
She is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA LMFT) practicing from California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.