Lanita Sunshine Patterson , LPC

Lanita Sunshine Patterson offers a compassionate, person-centered approach to counseling that supports people through addiction, life transitions, stress, anxiety and depression. With eight years of clinical experience, she combines evidence-informed techniques and genuine empathy to help clients build healthier habits, strengthen self-esteem, and navigate career and life changes.

She holds an MA, which is a Master of Arts degree, and maintains credentials as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), and a certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC). The LPC denotes her licensure to provide mental health counseling, the LAC reflects specialized credentials in addiction treatment, and the AADC signals advanced training in alcohol and drug counseling.

Lanita draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Enhancement approaches, Solution-Focused and Client-Centered therapy to tailor care to each person’s needs. She emphasizes authenticity and transparency, working to empower individuals to identify triggers, challenge negative self-talk, and develop coping strategies for everyday stress. Her practice aims to honor each person’s values while offering structure and encouragement to pursue intentional change.

Committed to walking alongside clients through the work of healing, Lanita focuses on respect, validation, and practical tools that support long-term wellness.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Lanita integrates client-centered principles that prioritize the person’s own goals and values, creating a supportive space where clients guide the focus of work while the therapist provides empathy and reflection. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be especially useful for anxiety, depression, and stress management. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers practical skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, helpful for managing intense emotions and reducing impulsive behavior.

Finding the right approach is collaborative - Lanita works with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress is made. This process respects the client’s pace and priorities while drawing on proven techniques.

Online therapy with Lanita is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for people with busy schedules or limited local options. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, attend sessions from different locations, and access support in formats that suit individual communication styles and daily routines.