Sheila Askins

Sheila Askins is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people who are overwhelmed by stress, anger, anxiety, addictions, and life transitions. She writes plainly and listens closely to understand what is getting in the way of daily functioning. Sheila aims to make each session a practical step toward clearer thinking and calmer behavior.

She has worked in social services and mental health for many years, focusing first on families with children and on stabilizing household routines. Over time she shifted into roles supporting people who struggled to find or keep employment because of depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. That work combined counseling with case management to remove barriers to work and daily functioning.

Substance use and school counseling have also been part of her background, and she has substantial experience addressing drug and alcohol addiction. Sheila uses familiar tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as client-centered and solution-focused approaches to help people name problems and try doable changes.

In sessions she helps people spot unhelpful thoughts, test new behaviors, and set small goals that build confidence. She also supports parents dealing with the strain of raising children and people working through grief or intimacy concerns. Her style is practical and down-to-earth, with an emphasis on steps that can fit into everyday life.

Sheila is based in Maryland and brings 28 years of practice experience to her work. People who want a straightforward, action-oriented counselor often find her approach a good match.

How these approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person as they are. In practice this means the therapist reflects concerns back, asks clarifying questions, and supports the client in naming what matters most. It can help with anxiety, anger, and relationship worries by creating a steady, nonjudgmental space to talk.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It teaches concrete skills to test unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. CBT is often used when someone wants to reduce anxiety, manage anger, or change patterns tied to depression or substance use.

Solution-Focused Therapy emphasizes small, concrete changes and short-term goals. Sessions often focus on what has worked before and how to repeat it, which can be useful when someone needs quick tools to cope with stress or daily challenges.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Sheila will collaborate with each client to identify goals, try methods that fit their needs, and adjust the plan based on what helps. This is a team effort where feedback guides next steps.

The practical benefits of online therapy include fitting sessions into a busy day and reducing travel time. Some people prefer shorter check-ins when time is tight, while others choose longer sessions for deeper work. The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking to ensure they match your needs.