Christine Sumner, LMFT

California · 24 years in practice

Christine Sumner is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 24 years of clinical experience.

License and registration

LMFT, California: 50198 · expires December 2026
NPI: 1316092901 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 24
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.

About Christine

Christine Sumner is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 24 years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people navigate relationship strain, grief, trauma, self-esteem struggles, and issues related to LGBT identity. Her approach centers on respect, sensitivity, and straightforward care.

She adapts conversations and goals to each person’s needs. Sessions are shaped around what matters most to the client rather than a fixed formula. Christine aims to make the first steps feel manageable and direct.

Background and approach

Her work draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help people understand and shift difficult interaction patterns. She also uses client-centered techniques to make clients feel heard and supported during hard conversations. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is part of her toolbox when thoughts and behaviors get in the way of daily life.

She offers practical ways to test unhelpful beliefs and try new habits between sessions. Christine helps people make clearer sense of painful stories using narrative and solution-focused methods. Those approaches support small, doable changes and new ways of seeing a problem.

She speaks English and practices in California. Christine emphasizes a calm, respectful tone and works with each person to set realistic goals and next steps.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Christine lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Approaches Christine names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

Approach and online care that fit your schedule

Christine often uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help people notice and change emotional patterns that keep them stuck, especially in close relationships. She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy to make sessions feel respectful and collaborative, with the client’s priorities guiding each meeting. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used when unhelpful thoughts or routines are interfering with daily life, offering practical steps to try between sessions.

Finding the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences, and then blend methods that seem most useful. That way clients help shape what strategies are tried and how progress is measured.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexible ways to connect. Video calls are good for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can fit during a commute or a short break. Live chat and text messaging let people check in or do shorter, more frequent touchpoints without scheduling a full session. These options make it easier to get support around work, caregiving, or other commitments.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does Christine help with?

She works with people facing LGBT-related issues, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, grief, and self-esteem difficulties.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Christine combines emotionally focused listening with practical techniques to address patterns and day-to-day problems in clear, simple steps.

How much experience does she have?

She has 24 years of professional experience working with the concerns listed in her profile.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

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?

International clients are not currently accepted; she works with people located in California.

What session formats are available?

Sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How are fees and getting started handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

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