Therapist profile
Cheryl Wharton, LMFT
Licensed MFT - Relationships and family issues
Continue with CherylAbout
- Communication help
- Parenting strain
- Anxiety and mood
About Cheryl
Cheryl Wharton is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 30 years of clinical experience. She focuses on relationship and family-related concerns as well as stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting, addiction issues, and life transitions. Cheryl speaks English and sees adults who want practical, issue-focused help.
She uses straightforward conversation to identify what feels stuck and what steps might help. Sessions tend to focus on improving communication, reducing anxiety and anger, and managing life changes. Cheryl names areas like blended family challenges, fatherhood issues, infidelity, and codependency among common topics she addresses.
Her approach draws on client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral tools, and mindfulness practices to help people notice patterns and test small changes. Cheryl also integrates elements of dialectical behavior ideas and existential thinking to look at values, meaning, and day-to-day coping. The emphasis is on practical skills alongside reflection rather than only talk.
Cheryl describes therapy as a collaborative process. She listens, offers clear observations, and suggests exercises people can try between sessions. Typical work might include identifying unhelpful thinking, practicing new ways to talk with a partner or parent, and building steady routines for mood and stress management.
Many people seek her help for parenting strain, family conflicts, midlife decisions, or recovery from loss and trauma. She asks new clients about their goals and priorities at the start, then shapes the next steps around what the person wants to change.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person's experience. It helps people feel heard and clarifies what they want to change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors and teaches concrete techniques to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and change unhelpful patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improving communication when feelings run high.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to decide which methods to try based on goals, needs, and preferences. That may mean practicing CBT tools for anxiety, adding mindfulness exercises, or using DBT skills for strong emotions. The plan can shift as progress is made.
The original profile did not specify which online session formats are offered, so confirm the current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Some people find video helpful for face-to-face interaction; others prefer an option with less visual demand. The therapist will discuss what works best and adapt the approach to everyday routines.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with relationship and family-related issues, stress, anxiety, depression, parenting strains, grief, addictions, trauma, and life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses client-centered conversation with practical tools from CBT and mindfulness. Sessions combine reflection with skills to practice between meetings.
How much experience does she have?
She has 30 years of professional counseling experience as noted in her biography.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA LMFT) practicing in California.
Can she work with people who do not live in the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are offered?
The original profile does not list specific session formats. Confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.