Sheila Sutherland

Practical, compassionate therapy for life transitions

LICSW Minnesota

Experience: 5 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Sheila

Sheila Sutherland is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW) based in Minnesota who focuses on supporting people navigating stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem struggles, and significant life transitions.

Background and approach

She brings over five years of professional experience helping clients develop practical coping skills for issues such as chronic illness, motivation challenges, grief, anger, and mood-related concerns. Sheila also works with people facing identity and relationship complexities including LGBT matters, gender dysphoria, and non-monogamous relationship dynamics.

Her approach centers on respectful, compassionate collaboration: she adapts conversations and treatment plans to each person's needs while drawing from evidence-informed methods like cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, and skills-based strategies from dialectical behavior therapy. Sheila emphasizes practical tools alongside reflective exploration to address patterns of thinking, emotional regulation, and communication.

Prospective clients can expect a supportive partner who encourages courage and steady progress toward clearer goals and greater day-to-day wellbeing.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Sheila uses approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy to guide online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. Mindfulness Therapy teaches attention and acceptance skills that can help with stress, emotional regulation, and coping with chronic illness.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Sheila will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or has not worked in the past, then offer options and adjust methods over time so the work fits each client's needs and pace.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care across life transitions and busy routines while allowing for both real-time conversation and ongoing written support between meetings.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Sheila commonly help with?

Sheila works with stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, coping with life changes, grief, anger, career concerns, bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, and ADHD, along with additional focuses such as body image and chronic illness.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Sheila combines respectful, client-centered collaboration with practical, skills-based interventions, tailoring conversations and plans to each persons needs.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has five years of professional work experience supporting clients in community and clinical settings.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

Sheila holds the LICSW credential with Minnesota license number MN LICSW 28018 and practices from Minnesota.

Does she offer services in multiple languages or to international clients?

Services are offered in English only, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for meeting with her?

Clients may meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and availability.

How are fees and payment handled?

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

What steps are required to begin working together?

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

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

LGBTGriefAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

Body imageChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsControl issuesFamily of origin issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shame Impulsivity Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacksPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

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

Experience

5+ years

Licensed

Minnesota

Languages

English