- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Guilt and shame focus
About Mary
Mary Downer is an Ohio Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with 17 years of professional experience. She works with adults who face stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, ADHD, and relationship and family concerns. Her listing also notes work related to grief, parenting, compassion fatigue, and guilt and shame.
Mary focuses on practical, plain conversations about what feels stuck. She uses clear approaches that help people identify patterns and try new ways of responding. Sessions aim to break down overwhelming problems into manageable steps and to build on existing strengths.
Her background includes long-term clinical practice with people affected by trauma and mood difficulties. Over the years she has worked with varied presentations such as obsessive thoughts, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, and issues tied to autism and intellectual disability. That experience informs a measured, trauma-informed way of working.
Mary uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy as part of her work. These approaches guide talks about thoughts, behaviors, and how past events can affect present reactions. She helps people test practical strategies between sessions and notice what changes.
Her style is straightforward and respectful. People who carry guilt or shame often come with fear of judgment; Mary aims to keep conversations direct and focused. To begin, the service asks prospective clients to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How her approaches fit with online sessions
Trauma-Focused Therapy focuses on understanding how past events shape current reactions. It involves careful review of distressing memories and building skills to reduce their hold on daily life, which can help people dealing with post-traumatic stress and intense emotional reactions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It uses practical exercises and small experiments to test different ways of thinking and acting, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts, and panic symptoms.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Mary will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That means trying strategies together, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan based on real results.
Please confirm the available session formats before booking, as this profile does not specify them. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - for example, a shorter check-in during a lunch break, avoiding travel time, or choosing a phone option when video would be difficult. Licensed professionals use these formats to help people maintain continuity of care while balancing everyday responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
Ohio
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, ADHD, relationship and family concerns, grief, parenting, and compassion fatigue, among others.
How does she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
She uses practical conversations and evidence-based methods to examine thoughts and behaviors linked to guilt and shame and to try small, testable changes.
What is her clinical experience?
Mary has 17 years of professional experience providing treatment in clinical settings and with individuals affected by trauma, mood disorders, and related concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds the LISW credential and is identified as an Ohio LISW based in Ohio.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are used?
Confirm current session options before booking, as the profile does not list specific session formats.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.