Sharon Wilkening , LMHC

Sharon Wilkening brings a combination of legal-system experience and clinical training to her work in mental health and substance use treatment. She completed her undergraduate studies at Syracuse University in 1998 and held an internship at Georgetown Law before serving in federal law enforcement from 1998 to 2002 while earning an MA in Forensic Psychology from Marymount University. After completing her master’s degree she relocated to New York and coordinated a youth diversion program at Lewis County Community Mental Health Center, supporting teens involved in the criminal justice system who also had mental health diagnoses.

By 2003 she transitioned into full-time clinical practice and later established a private practice focused on depression, anxiety, PTSD and trauma, domestic violence, substance use disorder, and premarital and marital concerns. With more than 16 years in mental health and substance use disorder treatment, she emphasizes a non-judgmental and unbiased stance, meeting clients where they are and tailoring care to individual needs.

Her clinical work draws on evidence-based techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solutions-focused approaches, strength-based methods, and motivational interviewing. She holds the LMHC credential - Licensed Mental Health Counselor - reflecting her professional training and licensure to provide mental health services in New York.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Sessions

Sharon Wilkening often uses cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy to help clients build practical skills and shift unhelpful thinking patterns. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thought and behavior cycles to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Dialectical behavior therapy teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills that can be especially helpful for intense emotions and relationship challenges.

She also integrates motivational interviewing when addressing substance use and readiness for change, using guided conversation to clarify goals and strengthen personal motivation. Finding the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process - Sharon works with each person to determine which techniques fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for people balancing work, family, and other commitments. These formats make it easier to access licensed professionals and therapists from wherever a client is located in New York, and they support consistent care when in-person visits are difficult to arrange.