ADHD therapists and psychiatrists in San Luis Obispo, CA

Hi, I’m Christopher Cooke, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). With a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, I specialize in helping individuals navigate trauma, PTSD, ADHD, mood disorders, grief, career transitions, and relationship challenges. My goal is to provide a supportive space where you can feel truly heard and make meaningful progress.

As a therapist, I am passionate about walking alongside folks as they reveal their truths and vulnerabilities to themselves. I believe, and have witnessed that people are capable of long standing change with knowledge, support, and connection, and that therapy is a great place for that. You can learn new ways to manage life stressors, feel safe, gain confidence, and live a more joyful and purposeful life. I use cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and strength-based techniques, while never ignoring the human element and connection where the real change happens.

Feeling depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or heartbroken? Life can be challenging, and sometimes we all need support. I'd be honored to help you walk through your difficult situations and emotions. With several years of experience helping people from all walks of life, I take a non-judgmental approach tailored to your unique circumstances, helping you heal, solve problems, manage challenges, and grow into the person you want to be.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have spent the past eight years walking alongside individuals as they navigate some of life’s most difficult chapters. I have had the honor of supporting survivors of trauma and abuse, individuals living with depression, anxiety, and ADHD, victims of crime, and those carrying the unique challenges of immigration-related stress.

I believe every person has a story that deserves to be heard with compassion and without judgment. My role is not to tell you who to become, but to help you reconnect with the strength, resilience, and wisdom that already exist within you. Together, we create a space where healing can unfold, wounds can be understood, and hope can begin to take root again.

Whether you are carrying the weight of past experiences, feeling overwhelmed by the present, or searching for a path forward, you do not have to walk that journey alone.

I am Sharon Atwood, a dual board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of hands-on clinical experience serving adults and older adults. I hold active, unrestricted licenses in Florida, New York, California, and Idaho, and I provide care through both telehealth and outpatient settings.

My academic journey reflects a deep, enduring passion for mental health and human behavior. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology magna cum laude from Kean University, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University and a Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health from the University of Miami, both completed summa cum laude. I maintain board certifications through ANCC and AANP and hold active membership in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and the California Association of Nurse Practitioners.

My clinical background spans adult and geriatric primary care, integrated psychiatric services, crisis intervention, and outpatient psychiatric medication management. This diverse experience has prepared me to address a wide range of conditions with both skill and compassion, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, OCD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, sleep disturbances, grief, anger management, and complex co-occurring presentations. I welcome individuals with treatment-resistant symptoms and those still searching for the right provider.

I specialize in working with adults aged 18 and older, helping to uncover root causes and develop plans for genuine growth. My approach is collaborative and evidence-based, combining psychiatric medication management with integrative wellness strategies that address sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress, and meaningful connection. I believe that expert care works best alongside healthy lifestyle habits and a sense of humor.