Sharon Pendlebury

Hello,Im Sharon! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is committed to supporting my clients to successfully work through complex changes they have identified in their life.

My approach

My underlying therapeutic approach is a humanistic one. I will partner with you with empathy, respect and unconditional positive regard throughout our time working together and we will collaborate to develop a clinical plan that is consistent with your goals and priorities. The most common therapeutic modalities I use in my work are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Strengths Based Therapy and Solution Based Therapy- all of which allow us to clearly recognize the development of the positive change we are looking for.

My focus

My client focus is adults throughout the life span. People are all intrinsically intriguing; it is a privilege to learn and understand each person who collaborates with me to further their learning and understanding of themselves in order to be able to be confident in their skills and strengths. I am comfortable supporting people who are working on managing symptoms of depression, anxiety of any type, trauma induced illness, grief and loss and substance use disorder or who are complicating complex life transitions.

My communication style

My practice is based upon the solid understanding that human beings flourish and develop in an environment of affirmation and validation.I am a compassionate, thoughtful and encouraging therapist whose communication style supports clients to be able to access the knowledge and skills which will give them resources to make change and the psychological safety to have confidence in learning and practicing.

My journey to mental healthcare

My undergraduate degree is in Psychiatric Nursing and Biochemistry. Having worked as an RN PSYCH on Psychiatric Intensive Care and Psychiatric General Units in England for a number of years it became apparent that too many of our patients were readmitting to in patient services too frequently. Hoping to be able to make a contribution to stabilization and maintenance of mental health needs in a community setting I completed a Masters in Clinical Social Work and became licensed on the other side of the Atlantic and subsequently Licensed in the United States. What continues to drive me in my clinical work is an unlimited admiration and appreciation for the strength, courage and resiliency of human beings who live with significant challenges managing an impactful chronic illness and, or, face complicated and often distressing, situations and a determination to offer credible, effective and person centered support.

My goals for you

I use an evidence based bio-psycho-social assessment and re assessment template and while the client works through that alongside me I take the time to understand the meaning to that person of the information they share. We then talk through which change or changes are the most important to the person I am working with and how we should prioritize those goals. Each time we meet we talk through our progress and review our clinical plan as we purposefully focus on the outcomes the client has identified and validate and affirm both the work and the outcomes.

My first session with you

A genuinely interested and skilled therapist who will support and guide that client on their change journey in an empathic, appreciative and reflective manner and will ask lots of questions!