Mary Sanders, LMHC

Mary Sanders is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 17 years of professional experience in Washington. She blends practical talk therapy with creative arts tools to help people navigate relationship strain, family conflict, trauma, grief, and life changes. Mary writes and speaks plainly, and she aims to make the first step feel manageable for anxious or overwhelmed parents and individuals.

She began her career combining arts and mental health work and has two decades of experience using theatre and expressive arts as part of healing. In clinical settings she has supported people processing trauma and loss, and she brings that background into one-on-one sessions. Her approach adapts to each person’s needs rather than applying one fixed method.

Mary uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. She also draws on attachment-based ideas to explore how early relationships affect current patterns. Client-centered principles guide sessions so the person’s goals stay central to the work.

Practical goals are common in her work: improving communication, reducing isolation, managing shame or guilt, and finding renewed purpose during midlife shifts. She can help people cope with separation and navigate the emotional fallout after divorce.

Sessions often mix conversation, mindfulness exercises, and creative expression when appropriate. Mary emphasizes clear steps and homework between sessions so progress continues outside the appointment. Her style is warm and straightforward, focused on small, achievable changes.

Online sessions that blend CBT, attachment work, and creativity

Mary offers a mix of cognitive behavioral techniques and attachment-based ideas in online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new actions to reduce worry and social anxiety. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns shape current communication and trust, which can help with abandonment worries and relationship strain.

She takes a client-centered stance in planning treatment, so finding the right approach is a joint process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, try approaches that fit those goals, and adjust over time based on what helps most. That collaborative process helps tailor sessions to individual needs and preferences.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for full sessions and exercises that benefit from visual cues. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging provide ongoing support between appointments and can fit into busy schedules. These options make therapy more flexible and accessible for people juggling family and work commitments.