Sharon (Shonnie) Brown, LMFT
Experienced California marriage and family therapist
- Individuals and couples therapy
- Trauma and life transitions
- Writing for emotional healing
About Sharon (Shonnie) Brown
Sharon (Shonnie) Brown is a northern California native whose personal experience adapting to different cultures and navigating life transitions has shaped her work as a psychotherapist. She views change as an inevitable part of life and draws on her own experiences with divorce and shyness to connect with individuals and couples seeking growth and healing.
She earned a B.A. from UC Berkeley and an M.A. in counseling psychology from JFK University in Orinda, CA. With 30 years of experience as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), she has focused primarily on therapy for individuals and couples and has led groups on separation and divorce, infidelity, co-parenting education, and social anxiety.
Her clinical interests include toxic workplace stress, major life transitions, separation and divorce, infidelity, relationships and broken friendships, self-esteem concerns, young adulthood, co-parenting, and aging issues. In addition to her clinical work, she is a professional writer and integrates writing as a tool for emotional healing when appropriate.
Her approach is honest, direct, and heart-centered, drawing from cognitive and solution-focused methods, family systems and psychodynamic perspectives. She has recently incorporated Pete Walker, MFT’s roadmap on childhood trauma (Complex PTSD) into her practice. She often addresses core problems such as difficulty self-soothing and limited self-compassion, and uses goal setting, coping skills, mindfulness, writing exercises, and a strong therapeutic relationship to support change. She encourages gradual steps, optimism, and daily practices of gratitude as part of the healing process, and invites people to consider reaching out as a step toward the change they seek.
She earned a B.A. from UC Berkeley and an M.A. in counseling psychology from JFK University in Orinda, CA. With 30 years of experience as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), she has focused primarily on therapy for individuals and couples and has led groups on separation and divorce, infidelity, co-parenting education, and social anxiety.
Her clinical interests include toxic workplace stress, major life transitions, separation and divorce, infidelity, relationships and broken friendships, self-esteem concerns, young adulthood, co-parenting, and aging issues. In addition to her clinical work, she is a professional writer and integrates writing as a tool for emotional healing when appropriate.
Her approach is honest, direct, and heart-centered, drawing from cognitive and solution-focused methods, family systems and psychodynamic perspectives. She has recently incorporated Pete Walker, MFT’s roadmap on childhood trauma (Complex PTSD) into her practice. She often addresses core problems such as difficulty self-soothing and limited self-compassion, and uses goal setting, coping skills, mindfulness, writing exercises, and a strong therapeutic relationship to support change. She encourages gradual steps, optimism, and daily practices of gratitude as part of the healing process, and invites people to consider reaching out as a step toward the change they seek.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Family conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changesCoaching
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMoney and financial issuesSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Existential Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Sharon (Shonnie) Brown have?
Sharon (Shonnie) Brown has 30 years of experience.
Is Sharon (Shonnie) Brown a licensed therapist?
Yes, she holds the credential LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. License details: CA LMFT 30787.
In which languages does Sharon (Shonnie) Brown provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English.
Where is Sharon (Shonnie) Brown located?
She is located in California.
How can I work with Sharon (Shonnie) Brown as my therapist?
You can work with Sharon (Shonnie) Brown through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Sharon (Shonnie) Brown work with international clients?
Sharon (Shonnie) Brown does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Sharon (Shonnie) Brown cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches and online care with Sharon (Shonnie) Brown
Sharon (Shonnie) Brown draws on evidence-informed approaches that translate well to online formats. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on understanding how early relationships shape current patterns of connection and emotional safety; it helps people address attachment wounds, fears of abandonment, and difficulties with intimacy. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a nonjudgmental, empathic stance in which the therapist supports the client’s own capacity for insight and growth - this approach is useful for building self-compassion, improving self-esteem, and navigating life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and to develop coping skills for anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep difficulties.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and she works collaboratively with each person to tailor methods to their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they consider which techniques fit best and adjust the plan as progress unfolds.
Online therapy with Sharon (Shonnie) Brown can be delivered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and needs. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life transitions, reduce travel time, and allow therapeutic work to continue in a format that feels accessible and manageable.
Ready to start therapy with Sharon (Shonnie) Brown?
Take the first step toward a better you.