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Sharon (Shonnie) Brown

Sharon (Shonnie) Brown, LMFT

Therapist in California

Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions

Continue with Sharon Review online therapy options on BetterHelp.
  • Direct and heart-centered
  • Writing for healing
  • Mindfulness and skills

About Sharon

Sharon (Shonnie) Brown is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 30 years of experience. She helps people facing depression, stress, anxiety, relationship strains, and major life transitions. Her approach is warm and straightforward, aimed at helping people take one practical step at a time.

Shonnie draws on multiple methods to meet people where they are. She combines cognitive techniques that address unhelpful thoughts with attachment-focused ideas about how early relationships shape current reactions. Mindfulness, goal-setting, and writing exercises are often used when helpful. Sessions tend to be direct but compassionate, with an emphasis on building a trusting working relationship.

Her background includes a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.A. in counseling psychology from JFK University in Orinda, California. She has worked with individuals and couples and led groups on separation, divorce, infidelity, co-parenting, and social anxiety. That variety informs how she adapts tools to different problems.

Common themes she addresses include difficulty self-soothing, low self-compassion, and trouble tolerating painful feelings. Practical tools such as coping skills, mindfulness exercises, and writing assignments are offered when appropriate. She also uses goal setting to help people track small changes and progress.

Shonnie emphasizes steady, realistic progress rather than overnight fixes. She encourages people to try small, manageable steps and to use writing as a way to process emotions when it feels useful. To begin, clients are asked to complete a short questionnaire and schedule according to availability.

This summary is based on the profile information listed on BetterHelp.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape current emotional patterns. It helps people understand why they react strongly in close relationships and learn new ways to connect and self-soothe. Client-Centered Therapy centers on an accepting, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship where the person sets the pace and topics, useful for building self-compassion and exploring life purpose. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets unhelpful thought patterns and teaches practical skills to change behaviors and reduce symptoms like low mood or anxiety.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to match methods to their needs, goals, and personal preferences. Some people try a mix of approaches and adjust over time as they learn what helps them most.

If you are considering online therapy, check the current session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. Video can support visual cues during attachment or client-centered work, while phone or audio can be useful for brief check-ins or when bandwidth is limited. Ask about available formats when you complete the initial questionnaire so scheduling fits your life.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Shonnie often help with?

She works with people dealing with depression, stress, anxiety, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, parenting strain, and major life changes.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her work is honest and direct while remaining compassionate. She focuses on building a strong working relationship and uses practical tools people can try between sessions.

How much experience does she bring?

She has 30 years of clinical experience and has led groups on separation, divorce, infidelity, co-parenting, and social anxiety.

What credentials and region does she hold?

She is a California licensed marriage and family therapist - LMFT - and practices in California.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are fees and billing handled?

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

What do I do to get started?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Therapists on BetterHelp do not prescribe medication. A doctor can talk with you about medical options. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988; in an emergency, call 911.

Sharon (Shonnie) BrownContinue with Sharon