Mary Laboy
am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing virtual therapy services to adults ages 18 and older. I specialize in supporting individuals who are navigating life transitions, struggling with codependency, or looking to strengthen healthy coping skills. I am especially passionate about working with women and individuals impacted by substance use, depression, and anxiety. My approach to therapy is warm, supportive, and collaborative. I believe therapy should feel like a safe space where you can openly explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without fear of judgment. Together, we will work to better understand patterns that may be holding you back while building healthier ways to cope, communicate, and care for yourself. I understand that starting therapy can feel overwhelming, and I strive to create an environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout the process. Whether you are working through relationship challenges, questions around identity, stress, low self-esteem, or recovery-related concerns, I aim to help you move toward healing, balance, and greater self-awareness. aim to help you move toward healing, balance, and greater self-awareness.
First session
During our first session, we will explore what brought you to therapy and what you hope to gain from the experience. We will discuss your personal history, past experiences with therapy, and any approaches that have or have not felt helpful to you in the past. My goal is to build a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship where you feel comfortable being open and honest. We will also talk about your expectations, readiness for change, and ways we can work together to support your goals. I welcome feedback throughout the process and believe therapy works best when it feels collaborative and supportive.
Strengths
My style is warm, engaging, and nonjudgmental. I prioritize creating a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard, validated, and empowered. I value authenticity and believe meaningful growth happens when clients feel emotionally safe and supported. I also bring compassion, patience, and a collaborative approach into sessions. I work alongside clients to help them develop healthier boundaries, improve self-esteem, strengthen coping skills, and build greater confidence in themselves and their relationships.
Ideal clients
Women: providing a safe and understanding space to address life challenges, stressors, and questions around identity as a woman. Assisting in the development of healthy boundaries in relationships; strategies for increasing individual self-esteem and autonomy; coping mechanisms for separation and individuation. Caring support along the pathway to safety, wellbeing, and healing for those surviving a partner’s abusive attempts to control one’s thoughts, beliefs, and actions
Treatment methods
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing (MI) helps clients resolve ambivalence (“part of me wants to change, part of me doesn’t”) by drawing out their personal values and goals, which often leads to more genuine, lasting motivation. In my experience, MI helps to build a strong therapeutic alliance. Clients tend to feel heard, respected, and understood—strengthening trust and engagement in therapy. Instead of confronting or challenging clients directly, MI “rolls with resistance,” which lowers defensiveness and makes clients more open to exploring change. MI emphasizes autonomy—clients are seen as the experts in their own lives. This builds confidence and self-efficacy, helping them feel more capable of making decisions and taking action. MI is also effective for anxiety, depression, health, behavior changes, and relationship patterns like codependency. Promotes lasting behavior change. Clients are more likely to maintain progress over time. Motivational interviewing meets clients where they are and helps them move forward at their own pace—making it a powerful and respectful approach to change.
Group Therapy
Hearing others share similar struggles helps clients realize they’re not alone, which can be incredibly validating and comforting. Group members often develop a strong sense of community, offering encouragement, empathy, and accountability to one another. Clients gain insight not only from the therapist but also from peers who may offer relatable experiences, feedback, and new ways of thinking. Group therapy is a safe space to practice expressing thoughts and feelings, setting boundaries, and navigating relationships in real time. Enhances self-awareness. Feedback from others can help clients better understand how they come across and how their behaviors impact relationships. Encourages accountability and motivation. Seeing others make progress can be inspiring, and sharing goals with the group can increase commitment to change. Group therapy is often more affordable than individual sessions while still providing meaningful therapeutic support. Group therapy combines professional guidance with peer support, helping clients feel connected, understood, and empowered while building skills that translate directly into everyday relationships.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- New YorkLicense 056545