PuttingFamilyFirst

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SA Portrait of Sheila Askins
Online therapist

Sheila Askins

Compassionate practical support for families

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Credentials
MD, LCSW-C
Experience
28 years
Licensed in
Maryland
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Sheila

Sheila Askins is a licensed social worker and medical doctor who focuses on family and parenting concerns. She brings straight talk and practical support for people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, and parenting challenges. Sessions are geared toward real-life change rather than jargon, with an emphasis on what helps at home and in relationships.

Sheila draws on 28 years of experience in social services and mental health work.

Background and approach

Early in her career she provided case management and counseling to families with children, aiming to stabilize the household and improve daily functioning. Over time she moved into roles that helped people overcome barriers to employment related to mental health concerns like depression and anxiety. Her background also includes work as a school counselor and direct experience with substance addiction and abuse.

That mix of roles shaped a practical approach that links counseling with concrete resources and problem solving. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address unhelpful thinking and behaviors, and also applies client-centered and solution-focused ideas to tailor sessions to each person’s needs. In conversations with parents she focuses on manageable changes.

She helps identify patterns that get in the way and offers small steps families can try between sessions. The goal is clearer communication, steadier routines, and better coping for both caregivers and children. Sheila works in Maryland and conducts sessions in English.

Her aim is to help clients move past the obstacles that keep them from functioning at their best.

Therapeutic approaches and online support for families

Sheila primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy in her online work. CBT looks at the thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and teaches practical skills to change them, which can help with anxiety, depression, and parenting stress. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, respect, and building on the parent or caregiver's own strengths to find solutions that fit their life.

She also uses Solution-Focused Therapy to set clear, short-term goals and identify small steps that lead to immediate change. Together these approaches mean sessions often blend skill building, empathetic listening, and goal-oriented planning. Sheila will work with each person to choose the approach that best fits their needs and preferences in a collaborative way.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more convenient for busy families. These formats allow work to continue around school, work, and caregiving responsibilities and make it easier to maintain momentum between appointments. The combination of practical methods and flexible formats is meant to help parents and families try new strategies and track progress over time.

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.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Rather than examining the problem at length, this looks at what is already working and builds on it. Sessions tend to be practical and forward-looking, with small achievable steps, which translates readily to shorter online conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Sheila address?
Sheila focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship and family issues, grief, intimacy concerns, parenting, anger, self esteem, coping with life changes, and ADHD. She also lists an additional focus on drug and alcohol addiction.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Sheila uses Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Therapy. Expect practical, goal-oriented sessions that emphasize problem solving and changes you can try at home.
How long has she been practicing?
She brings 28 years of experience working in social services, school counseling, and mental health roles supporting families and individuals.
Where is Sheila based and what are her credentials?
She is located in Maryland and holds the credentials MD and LCSW-C. The license number on record is MD LCSW-C 18865.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can she work with people outside the United States?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sheila conducts sessions via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options provide flexibility for different schedules.
How do I begin working with her and what does it cost?
To start, select the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire, then schedule according to therapist availability. Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
28 years
Licensed
Maryland
Languages
English

Next step

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