Sherida Newmister, LCSW

Sherida Newmister is a licensed clinical social worker with 27 years of experience helping people facing big emotional challenges. She meets people where they are and focuses on practical steps to reduce pain and restore energy. Her style is collaborative and straightforward, aimed at making daily life feel more manageable.

People come to her frustrated, overwhelmed, or burned out. She listens without judgment and helps name what feels confusing or heavy. Together they define small goals and build skills that fit each person's life and schedule.

Her work draws on cognitive behavioral approaches and other techniques to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. She also uses acceptance-based and client-centered methods to help people tolerate difficult feelings and reconnect with their values. When trauma is part of the picture, she includes trauma-focused strategies to address upsetting memories and reactions.

Sherida uses clear, step-by-step planning in sessions. She helps clients practice new coping tools between meetings and tracks progress over time. Sessions often include skill coaching, problem solving, and exploring what matters most to the person.

She supports people dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, relationship struggles, addiction concerns, grief, and major life transitions. Sherida also focuses on issues such as abandonment, communication problems, panic attacks, and compassion fatigue. Her approach is practical, steady, and focused on the next right step.

How online sessions use CBT, ACT, and client-centered work

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on identifying and changing thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. It often includes homework tasks and skill practice to reduce anxiety, depression, and mood symptoms. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, teaches people to notice painful thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that reflect their values, which helps with avoidance and life transitions. Client-centered therapy emphasizes an accepting, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist listens and follows the person's lead to build insight and self-direction.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Sherida will discuss options during early sessions and collaborate with each person to choose techniques that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That teamwork helps tailor the mix of CBT, ACT, and client-centered methods to practical concerns like mood, trauma history, or relationship stress.

Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls let people practice skills in real time and read facial cues. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging support quick check-ins, homework review, or shorter coaching-type exchanges between sessions. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and maintain more consistent contact with licensed professionals.