(she/her)
Welcome! I truly believe that we can all feel better. Safer in this world, stronger within ourselves, connected to ourselves and others. As a licensed MFT in CA, I am most helpful working with folks feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, fearful and uncertain. Those wanting help w emotional self-regulation, emotional connection to self and others. Those struggling with substance challenges as a way to regulate and/or get needs met. Those feeling unlovable, flawed and unworthy. Negative inner voices, rumination, distorted thoughts. My style is interactive, sensitive and direct. Let's clarify what's happening for you and why, let's create a plan with sustainable steps. This is a collaboration and no one knows you better than you! Please take the time to read my specializations/profile. Let's talk! Thank you.
I truly believe that we can all live with more "ease" in our life vs. dis-ease. In a first session, I strive to foster connection, to create a safe, warm and honest environment. The client-therapist relationship/fit really matters. I talk about the therapeutic process, what the work might look like and entail. I ask questions to understand and shape treatment. There is a plan in place. I am curious about each person's inner world, hopes, dreams, areas of confusion/challenge and goals. I seek to clarify. We can accomplish so much more when we feel clear. When we understand. When we have a combination of deep therapeutic conversation, support, new skills and concrete baby steps. My style is interactive, sensitive and direct. This a collaboration. We are a team.
Personal warmth and empathy, the ability to listen and identify what clients may not be aware of, to raise awareness around patterns of behaviors, distorted thinking that have impact. To identify concrete steps that reduce symptoms of overwhelm, anxiety, negative thought loops, to facilitate emotional regulation, to improve interpersonal communication skills and create feelings of ease.
I work best with clients wanting to work on behaviors, patterns, and self-beliefs/beliefs about the world, that no longer serve them. Usually these issues manifest in a dysregulated nervous system with symptoms like -anxiety, hyper-vigilance, hyper-sensitivity, depression, OCD like rituals, or substance/sex/shopping/Social Media overuse and abuse to manage mood, to escape, to numb and to "stop all of the noise." Negative self-talk, rumination, overthinking, losing days due to an inability to emotionally regulate, lack of motivation to change and procrastination can be a part. Low self-esteem and a lack of confidence often are at the root - the core self with a belief that one is inadequate, not enough, unlovable, deeply flawed or damaged. Success with my clients comes when they can commit to doing the work and work with me to shift mindset and incorporate small steps towards change. Building on small positives, small goals, small changes, small wins create a stronger sense of confidence and self-worth.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic therapy is an in-depth therapy that explores unconcious thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviors that relate to current struggles/challenges. It seeks to bring awareness and a more adaptive way of relating to yourself and others. Early childhood experiences and how those experiences relate to our current belief systems, and patterns - be they emotional, behavioral, and/or physical. In general I like to combine "awareness/insight" and the "why" with concrete steps and goals for change.
Attachment-based
I work with attachment in mind which thinks about early childhood experience and development. How we form healthy/secure attachment bonds vs. unhealthy/anxious/avoident. How our attachment style connects us to others in a healthy or unhealthy way. This impacts adult relationships and an individual's neurobiology, behaviors, patterns, emotional regulation, coping styles, addictions, and some traumas.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing or MI is a client centered modality I use to enhance motivation and resolve ambivalence. Through thoughtful questioning we access what's keeping us stuck/lost/ in a freeze state/or debilitated w anxiety
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is actually a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which focuses on negative thought patterns/rumination/internal self-criticism which produce negative behaviors that impact clients and their relationships. DBT adds a mindfulness piece, an acceptance piece, better emotional regulation and interpersonal skills with others.
5 ratings with written reviews
March 4, 2026
Mary is so supportive and insightful. She takes time to ask reflective questions and guides you to a safe place. She is warm, thoughtful and friendly. I’ve grown so much by meeting with her.
July 8, 2025
Mary is so kind and supportive. She really cares and works to get to the root of what’s going on.
May 6, 2025
I've had a handful of sessions with Mary, and she’s truly one of the best. She genuinely listens, makes me feel heard, and understands in a way that’s comforting and empowering. I appreciate how she takes the time to explore the roots of my challenges and shows real interest in my journey. Her collaborative approach makes it feel like we’re navigating things together. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking a compassionate, thoughtful, and insightful therapist.