Mary Smith, LICSW

Mary Smith is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience in therapeutic care. She focuses on helping people reduce stress and anxiety, work through depression, boost self-esteem, and manage parenting challenges. Her style aims to make it easier to talk about hard things and take practical steps forward.

Mary often blends straightforward techniques with a warm, accepting presence. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. She pairs that with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas to help people act on their values even when emotions feel strong.

Sessions tend to focus on clear goals and small, doable steps. She supports people through life transitions and helps build skills for coping with pressure and setbacks. Conversations explore what matters most and what is getting in the way of progress.

Mary has worked for many years with adults and young people who are adjusting to change, dealing with family tension, or navigating identity questions. She can help with issues like abandonment, attachment concerns, blended family stress, caregiver strain, and body image worries.

Her practice also addresses difficulties such as guilt, shame, dissociation, control and commitment issues, and communication problems. In therapy she aims to create an open atmosphere where clients feel heard, understood, and guided toward practical solutions.

How therapy approaches translate to online sessions

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focuses on spotting the thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and practicing concrete changes. It is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and improving daily coping. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify their values and take meaningful action even when feelings are difficult. It works well for people stuck in avoidance or who want to live in line with what matters to them. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and a nonjudgmental stance to build trust and self-understanding, creating space to explore issues at a comfortable pace.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, try a few techniques, and adjust methods based on what fits the client's needs and preferences. This collaborative process helps tailor sessions so they feel useful and realistic for daily life.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video works well for deeper conversations and visual cues. Phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone wants to step away from the screen. Live chat and text support shorter check-ins, homework review, or moment-to-moment coaching. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and keep momentum between longer sessions.