About Richard
Richard Sumner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Virginia with 25 years of experience. He focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression. He also helps people cope with major life changes and regain a sense of direction.
He approaches work with the belief that clients are the experts on their own lives. He looks for each person's strengths and uses them to tackle the problems that feel overwhelming.
How Richard works
He speaks plainly and aims to make sessions feel straightforward and practical. Over his career he has helped people facing mood challenges, struggles with motivation and confidence, and issues related to aging and geriatric concerns. He has also supported those dealing with drug and alcohol addiction and self-harm thoughts.
He pays attention to how midlife questions and men’s issues can affect daily functioning. Sessions are designed to be collaborative and goal-oriented. He offers a mix of conversation and practical strategies to manage symptoms and build new habits.
Progress is tracked in simple steps so people can see small gains over time. Richard provides services by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. To begin, a person completes a short matching questionnaire and then schedules sessions according to availability.
What Richard works with
The areas below are the ones Richard selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
Also listed
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Coping with life changes
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Self-harm
Training and background
| Register | LCSW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 25 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Virginia |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
How evidence-based techniques work online
Richard uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on clear, practical steps. One approach emphasizes learning skills to reduce stress and manage anxiety through breathing, routine changes, and goal-setting; it helps when worry or tension gets in the way of daily life. Another approach targets mood and self-esteem by identifying unhelpful thoughts and practicing new behaviors to boost confidence and motivation; this helps with depression and low self-worth.Finding the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will talk with the client about what matters most, try methods that match goals, and adjust over time if something isn’t working. Clients are involved in choosing what to try and in setting the pace.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video allows face-to-face conversation, phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat works for shorter check-ins, and text messaging lets someone send quick updates between sessions. These options make it simpler to keep regular appointments and to use therapy in a busy life.
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Common questions
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A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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