Dr. Sharon Sowders
Dr. Sharon Sowders has been providing mental health and substance abuse services in Cincinnati, Ohio for more than 25 years. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, serving in multiple roles ranging from program director to direct service provider. Dr. Sowders has clinical expertise in co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, body image issues and eating disorders, the family effects of mental illness and addiction, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She holds three professional licenses as a Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor-Supervisor, and Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor-Clinical Supervisor.
Dr. Sowders enjoys working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. She is skilled in utilizing a wide-range of therapeutic methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed CBT, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, and multidimensional family therapy. Recognizing that client education is a critical aspect of quality care, Dr. Sowders takes an active role in the therapeutic process, often suggesting between-session homework assignments for discussion in follow-up counseling sessions.
Having a strong sense of patriotism, Dr. Sowders has been committed to the needs of service members and their families since the beginning of her career. In 2009, Dr. Sowders completed the civilian provider training program offered by the Center for Deployment Psychology, and she continues to participate in the CDP's supplemental updates to this course. Dr. Sowders considers it a privilege to assist veterans and their families in making the necessary adjustments after serving their country, and she is skilled in implementing a wide-range of treatments to effectively meet their needs.
In her award-nominated doctoral dissertation, Dr. Sowders examined the therapeutic benefits of integrating a client's religious beliefs and values into the counseling process. Her findings showed that individuals who strongly identify with their faith anticipate greater benefits from counseling when helped by a clinician who respects and affirms their faith. Dr. Sowders is skilled at utilizing a faith-based approach for clients who wish to integrate their faith into the counseling process, and she is pleased to provide Christian counseling for individuals, couples, and families referred by their pastors.
In addition to her work with clients, Dr. Sowders is committed to the training of new clinicians who will provide quality mental health care for the community for the years to come. She has provided over 300 hours of continuing education for helping professionals, covering topics pertaining to co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, motivational interviewing, the family effects of mental illness and addiction, and the importance of practitioner self-care. Dr. Sowders has also provided training supervision for more than 20 clinicians seeking licensure from three different licensing boards, and she welcomes inquiries from prospective supervisees seeking licensure as psychologists, clinical counselors, chemical dependency counselors, or clinical supervisors.
Clinical Issues Addressed
- Stress & Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief & Loss
- Relationship Problems
- Recovery from Infidelity
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Including Military PTSD
- Substance Use Disorders
- Co-Occurring Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
- Body Image Issues & Eating Disorders
- Family Effects of Mental Illness & Addiction
- Adult Children of Alcoholics/Addicts
Board Certifications
- State of Ohio Board of Psychology, 2004
- State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage & Family Therapist Board, 1996
- State of Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board, 1991
Education & Training
- University of Cincinnati, Doctor of Education, 2001
- Xavier University, Master of Education, 1993
- Center for Deployment Psychology, Civilian Provider Training Program, 2009