Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Lumberton, NC covered by Aetna

I’m Sharon Elizabeth Locklear, LCSW, ACSW, and I bring more than 30 years of experience as a mental health practitioner. My career has included work in private practice, hospitals, the U.S. Army, and the VA, supporting individuals through grief, trauma, caregiving, chronic health concerns, relationship difficulties, major life transitions, and complex mental health challenges.

I understand how easy it can be to lose yourself while caring for others, managing responsibilities, or simply trying to survive difficult circumstances. I believe people have the capacity to heal, grow, and create lives that reflect who they truly are. My role is not to tell you who to become, but to help you recognize your strengths, understand what may be keeping you stuck, and move toward the life you want to create.

I've worked with every stage of life - teenagers figuring themselves out, working adults running on empty, older adults navigating major transitions - and I've learned that there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to getting better. What you'll get from me is full attention, an honest approach, and a commitment to meeting you where you actually are. I spent years in inpatient care, and what kept pulling me back to outpatient work is this: I love watching people move forward. That's what I'm here for.

I believe that meaningful change begins with feeling heard, understood, and supported. My goal is to provide a warm, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore life's challenges, gain insight, and develop practical tools to move toward lasting emotional wellness.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with experience providing psychotherapy to adults across a variety of settings, including outpatient private practice and senior living communities. I work with individuals (adolescents to seniors) experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, chronic pain, relationship concerns, life transitions, and stress-related challenges.

I graduated from UNC-Charlotte in 2012. I am a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. I have worked in a school setting for several years supporting the social and emotional needs of children. I have worked in the University setting as a college counselor and I also have experience working with adults in the community. I would love to walk alongside of you in your journey.

I’ve been practicing therapy for 25 years, which has included 12 years in NC and prior practice in both Kansas and New Mexico. I’ve worked in community mental health most of my career so I’ve had the opportunity to serve all ages and provide treatment for a huge variety of mental health concerns. I’m pretty down to Earth, open, honest, and genuine. I can be direct when needed to help bring awareness or light to a potential problem area while at the same time me providing support and encouragement. I enjoy hearing people’s life stories and helping individuals navigate their way through difficult life situations and problematic symptoms. No judgment, just a person available to help you find what you need.

As a therapist, I have worked with clients in schools, communities, and office settings for over a decade. I enjoys working with children with ADHD and ODD and with children who have experienced physical and sexual abuse. He also works with adults who are dealing with substance misuse, mood disorders such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, personality problems, and adults with dual diagnoses and behavioral problems.

I enjoy working with people who are interested in returning to the truth of who they are. I value people. Intuition is often within my work with people. I am honored to walk with people in their orientation to healing and health in the ways important to them. Harmony in mind, body, and spirit.

A holistic trauma informed approach with a culturally grounded orientation to care is my offering. I love to incorporate breath work and somatic work in with talk therapy all while centering values.

I respect the courage of getting to this point. It’s reasonable that we all would benefit from support so I am happy to walk you home to you, the truth of you that deserves liberation, healing and health because your life has value and I’m so glad you’re here. You deserve it all.

I bring warmth, authenticity, and a calm, steady presence to the therapeutic relationship. While my focus is on children and teens, I also support adults who are navigating stress, anxiety, trauma, and major life changes.

I’m intentional about creating a space where clients of all ages feel understood and supported. While working with children and teens, I work to build trust through patience, playfulness, and developmentally appropriate communication. For adults, I offer a grounded, collaborative environment where they can explore challenges openly and at their own pace. Parents often share that they appreciate my ability to connect with their child while also offering clear communication, guidance, and compassion throughout the process.