Rated 4.9 stars out of 5, 48 ratings

Mary Emerson-Follick

LMHC, 10 years of experience

Authentic
Solution oriented
Warm
Virtual
Next available on

I’m a licensed mental health counselor with over a decade of experience supporting individuals who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use. I understand how isolating and overwhelming it can feel to navigate these challenges, and how much courage it takes to seek support. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, seen, and genuinely supported. My therapeutic approach is rooted in compassion and grounded in evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and EMDR. I also bring extensive experience in grief work, helping clients move through loss and life transitions with care and understanding. For those who desire it, I’m able to integrate a Christian perspective into our work together. Whether it’s drawing strength from faith, exploring spiritual questions, or grounding our sessions in biblical principles, I honor and support each client’s individual beliefs and values. Healing is a deeply personal journey, and I believe that with the right support, you can overcome what feels impossible today. Together, we’ll work to ease the weight of anxiety or depression, develop meaningful coping strategies, and help you reconnect with hope, purpose, and inner peace.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

The first session is a chance for us to begin getting to know one another. Research shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship plays a big role in the success of therapy — so we’ll take our time to start building that foundation. We’ll typically review the intake information you’ve provided before the session, including your history, current concerns, goals for therapy, and any assessment scores. You’ll also have space to ask questions about my background, experience, and therapeutic approach — and I welcome those conversations. My aim is to meet you where you are emotionally and mentally, while also helping you move forward with support and encouragement. I often provide a skill to try out between sessions or suggest a resource (like an article or reading) that’s relevant to what you’re facing. I believe in helping clients see real progress, so we’ll also discuss how we’ll use periodic assessments to track your growth over time and adjust our approach as needed. Most importantly, you should leave that first session feeling heard, respected, and gently guided — with a clearer idea of what therapy with me will look like and how we’ll work together to support your healing.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to blend warmth, authenticity, and clinical expertise in a way that helps clients feel safe, seen, and empowered to make meaningful change. Clients often tell me that our sessions are not only insightful but also energizing — that they walk away with new ways of thinking, practical tools, and a renewed sense of direction. My approach is both compassionate and solution-oriented. While I always provide a nonjudgmental space to process emotions, I’m also deeply committed to helping you move forward. I don’t just sit back and listen — I actively engage, offer new perspectives, and help you build a game plan for growth. Clients have described me as “authentic,” “warm,” and “action-oriented.” One shared that they love how I “offer new ideas and tools each week” and “help them realize things in a new way.” Another said that therapy with me “surpassed their expectations,” especially as it was their very first session, and they felt both heard and hopeful about what we could accomplish together. What often stands out in my work is the way I meet each person where they are, while also encouraging them to stretch, grow, and take meaningful steps toward healing. I consider the whole picture — your story, your values, your challenges — and tailor therapy to what will serve you best. Clients have shared that I’m skilled at respectfully challenging them when needed, without ever losing the warmth and support that make therapy feel safe. Ultimately, my goal is to walk alongside you — offering clarity, encouragement, and tools you can use far beyond our time together.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I’m especially well-suited to work with individuals who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or weighed down by persistent worry or sadness. You may be navigating a major life change, grieving a loss, or wrestling with painful memories or self-doubt. You may be high-functioning on the outside but exhausted on the inside. My clients are often seeking not just symptom relief, but deeper healing — a way to reconnect with themselves, rebuild confidence, and find meaning again. If you’re looking for a therapist who will meet you with kindness, clinical expertise, and unwavering support, I’m here to walk alongside you. Together, we can take steps toward healing, resilience, and renewed hope.

Rated 4.9 stars out of 5, 48 ratings

7 ratings with written reviews

May 12, 2025

I love that she helps me realize things when I am talking about them. I don't think that way in the moment.

Verified client, age 35-44

Review shared after session 7 with Mary

April 1, 2025

Gigi always has new ideas and tools to share with me. I look forward to our sessions once a week!

Verified client, age 65+

Review shared after session 5 with Mary

March 24, 2025

I felt like Mary listened to what I had to say and is committed to helping me reach my goals out of therapy. I look forward to meeting with her for the next session.

Verified client, age 35-44

Review shared after session 1 with Mary

About Mary Emerson-Follick

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to assist clients in exploring how thoughts influence their feelings, which in turn affect their behaviors. The foundation of CBT is identifying, challenging, and reframing negative thoughts through evidence gathering and learning to replace distorted thoughts with more balanced, realistic ones. Some common goals include developing problem-solving skills, relaxation techniques, assertiveness training, setting SMART goals, and monitoring progress. Practicing new skills in everyday life is encouraged through creative experiments. CBT helps clients make meaningful changes that enhance their overall quality of life by exploring and understanding the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

I use DBT to emphasize the balance between acceptance and change. It recognizes that two seemingly contradictory things can be true simultaneously, such as accepting oneself while striving to improve. The four main components include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills.

EMDR

Our brains are designed to make sense of experiences and integrate them in a way that supports our well-being. Sometimes, however, particularly intense or traumatic experiences can overwhelm this natural processing system. When an event is too distressing, or if we lack the necessary information or resources to make sense of it properly, the experience can get stuck in our memory. When a traumatic or disturbing experience isn’t processed effectively, parts of it can linger in our minds and bodies. These unresolved fragments can be triggered by reminders in our current life, leading to distressing emotions, thoughts, or physical sensations. I use EMDR in the office or telehealth to help clients address these stuck experiences by stimulating the brain’s natural processing system in a controlled, therapeutic setting.

Christian Counseling

I believe that it is crucial to meet clients where they are holistically with empathy and genuineness. For many, including myself, that includes the spiritual self. If you prioritize having a counselor who aligns with your Christian worldview please feel free to contact me so we can discuss before moving forward.