Sheri Pate, LMFT

Sheri Pate is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who centers mindfulness and mind-body practices in her work. She emphasizes acceptance of where people are right now and guides simple exercises to manage stress, intrusive thoughts, and strong emotions. Her tone is warm and practical, focused on small steps that make daily life easier.

She draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to notice thinking patterns and on attachment-informed perspectives to strengthen close relationships. Sheri has used guided imagery, deep relaxation, and visualization since 2002 to help people find more enjoyment and meaning. These tools may be used alongside mindfulness to reduce anxiety, lift mood, and improve sleep.

Sheri also incorporates client-centered and emotionally-focused approaches. That means conversations focus on what matters to each person and on understanding emotions that get in the way of connection or confidence. She pays attention to strengths and practical changes a person can try between sessions.

Her background includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UCLA and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from California Lutheran University. She grew up in Los Angeles and describes herself as Hispanic Caucasian and a first generation college graduate.

In recent years Sheri has led yoga, meditation, and mindfulness groups across the country, both in person and virtually. She created a simple awareness card game called Witness Cards to help people identify areas for growth. Her work often supports people coping with health challenges by teaching stress management and attention practices.

How mindfulness and cognitive work translate to online therapy

Sheri uses mindfulness practices and cognitive-behavioral techniques in plain, step-by-step ways. Mindfulness therapy emphasizes simple attention and breathing exercises to reduce stress and make emotions easier to notice. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new ways of thinking to change mood and behavior.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will listen to your goals and preferences, try a few methods, and adjust what’s used based on what helps. You and the therapist decide together whether to emphasize breathing and body awareness, thought work, or emotionally focused exercises.

Because the biography does not list specific session formats, please confirm available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week and practice techniques between meetings. Virtual sessions can allow shorter check-ins, guided relaxation or imagery without commute time, and continuity of care when travel or scheduling would otherwise interrupt progress.