Cheryl Patterson, LMFT - Therapist in Minnesota

About Cheryl

Cheryl Patterson is a licensed marriage and family therapist who supports people facing parenting challenges, relationship strain, stress, anxiety, addiction concerns, and major life changes. She combines practical guidance with straightforward conversation to help parents and individuals clarify next steps. Cheryl writes plainly and meets people where they are in their day-to-day lives.

Cheryl trained after years working as a registered nurse in labor, delivery, postpartum, and nursery settings. She also spent time in adult psychiatric care and in residential recovery work.

Background and approach

That combination of medical and recovery experience shapes how she approaches problems now. In sessions she uses listening and gentle questioning to help clients name what matters most to them. She draws on Client-Centered Therapy to follow each person’s lead and Solution-Focused Therapy to identify concrete next steps.

Motivational Interviewing is part of her toolbox when someone needs help finding their own reasons for change. Her background includes supervising a peer-directed recovery house and working with adults in addiction treatment programs. Cheryl is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - LMFT - and brings four years of formal practice to her work.

She is based in Minnesota and offers therapy in English. Cheryl centers spiritual values when clients want that included. She works with relationships, parenting at any stage, life transitions, postpartum concerns, and family issues.

Her style is direct, compassionate, and focused on practical progress.

How Cheryl’s approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and following the client’s lead. Online sessions let Cheryl ask open questions and reflect back what she hears, which helps parents and individuals feel understood and decide next steps. Motivational Interviewing helps when someone is unsure about change by exploring their own reasons and plans; in video or phone sessions Cheryl guides that conversation in short, manageable steps. Finding the right approach is part of the work. Cheryl will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they can try different ways of working and adjust the plan based on what actually helps. Online formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation from home, phone sessions remove travel time, and live chat or text messaging support brief check-ins between sessions. These options give flexibility for parents and people juggling work, childcare, or recovery commitments, while still keeping therapy focused on clear, practical progress.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Motivational Interviewing

A way of working through mixed feelings about change without being pushed. The therapist helps you weigh things up and find your own reasons, which often makes a difficult decision feel less stuck.

Narrative Therapy

Looking at the story you have come to tell about yourself, and where it came from. The work is in separating the problem from your identity and finding accounts that fit you better.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and parenting problems, coping with life changes, trauma and many family-related issues.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her approach is direct and conversational. She listens first, then helps set small, practical goals clients can act on.

What is her professional background?

Cheryl spent years as a registered nurse in labor, delivery, postpartum, and nursery care, worked in adult psychiatric care, and supported residential recovery programs before moving into therapy.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds the LMFT credential and is registered as MN LMFT 2782 in Minnesota.

Which languages are supported and are international clients possible?

Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

Therapy is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.

How is cost handled for sessions?

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

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Relationship issues

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 4 years
Licensed: Minnesota
Languages: English

Next step

Talk to Cheryl

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