About Mary

Mary Shands is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 12 years of clinical experience. She practices from Texas and brings a direct, warm approach to sessions. Mary listens closely and helps people untangle stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, and mood concerns.

Mary has worked in schools, insurance settings, substance-abuse programs, veterans services, and sexual-offender treatment. That range means she has seen many life situations and common strains firsthand. She has supported people dealing with trauma, depression, relationship and parenting difficulties, and separation related to adoption.

Background and approach

Her style is straightforward and conversational. Sessions focus on practical steps and on learning new ways to cope. She uses talking, skill-building, and mindfulness to help people manage symptoms and make daily life easier.

Common issues she addresses include eating and sleeping problems, anger and self-esteem struggles, career stress, and compassion fatigue. ADHD is listed among her focus areas, alongside trauma, addictions, and relationship concerns. She also helps people facing abandonment issues, body-image concerns, and first-responder stress.

Mary combines client-centered listening with cognitive-behavioral tools and attachment-aware work. She aims to form a working relationship that fits each person’s goals. Her approach is adaptable, and she discusses options so people can choose what feels most useful.

Mary speaks English and offers sessions online in various formats. She maintains licensure in Missouri and Texas and brings experience training groups and presenting on mental health topics.

Approach choices and online care

Attachment-based work focuses on how relationships shape feelings and behavior; it helps people understand patterns that show up in close relationships and reduce reactive responses. Client-centered therapy puts the person’s experience first and uses reflective listening so people feel heard and can make their own changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors together and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns and manage symptoms. Mary will collaborate with clients to find which approach, or mix of approaches, fits best for their goals. Together they review needs, try techniques, and adjust the plan when something is not helping. The therapist frames this as a team effort so clients can steer what feels most useful. Online therapy offers flexibility that many people need. Video calls let for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for shorter check-ins, coaching-style support, or when writing feels easier than speaking. These options make it easier to fit sessions around work, family, or other commitments while accessing licensed professionals across distances.

Questions people ask

What kinds of problems does she help with?
Mary works with people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, grief, relationship and intimacy-related issues, ADHD, and related concerns.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm and conversational, combining careful listening with practical skill-building, mindfulness, and goal-focused work.
What is her clinical background?
She has 12 years of experience and has worked in schools, veterans services, substance-abuse treatment, insurance settings, and sexual-offender treatment programs.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds LPC credentials and practices from Texas; she is also licensed in Missouri as documented.
Which languages and international options are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
12 years
Licensed
Missouri, Texas
Languages
English

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