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MO Portrait of Mary O'Dell

Mary O'Dell

Practical, compassionate therapy for life transitions

LICSW Alabama

Experience
5 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Mary

Mary O'Dell is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) based in Alabama who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, addiction struggles, low self-esteem, depression, and major life transitions.

Background and approach

She emphasizes practical support for concerns such as body image, caregiver stress, communication difficulties, divorce and separation, grief around forgiveness, guilt and shame, life purpose, post-traumatic stress, social anxiety and phobia, and women's issues. Mary combines empathy with structured strategies to help clients build coping skills and regain day-to-day functioning.

Her practice blends several evidence-informed methods drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, client-centered work, mindfulness, narrative techniques, solution-focused strategies, and trauma-focused interventions. Mary aims to create an affirming space where clients can examine patterns, reframe challenging thoughts, and develop concrete plans for change.

With five years of clinical experience, she supports people in translating insight into manageable steps toward improved wellbeing. Sessions are tailored to each person's needs and preferences, balancing reflective exploration with actionable tools.

Mary approaches therapy with respect, curiosity, and a focus on collaboration, helping clients identify priorities and strengthen resilience as they navigate personal challenges and transitions.

Online approaches that balance skills and personal insight

Mary often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns and build practical coping skills for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. CBT focuses on changing thinking and behavior patterns to reduce distress and improve daily functioning.

She also draws on client-centered therapy, which emphasizes an empathic, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship where the client's priorities guide the work. This approach supports exploration of values, identity, and personal meaning while the therapist offers reflective listening and validation.

Finding the most effective approach is a collaborative process. Mary works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and then adjusts methods over time so the work remains relevant and manageable. Clients are encouraged to give feedback so therapy can stay focused on what helps them most.

Online sessions are available by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make scheduling more flexible and accessible. These formats allow continuity of care across different situations and help people fit therapy into busy or changing lives while maintaining regular therapeutic contact.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, self-esteem challenges, depression, and coping with life changes, and also focuses on areas like body image, caregiver stress, communication problems, and post-traumatic stress.
What is the general therapy style and approach?
The approach blends client-centered listening with evidence-informed interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, narrative, solution-focused, and trauma-focused techniques to balance insight and skill-building.
How much clinical experience does the therapist have?
Mary has five years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and life-transition concerns.
What are the therapist's credentials and where are they located?
The clinician holds LICSW credentials with license number AL LICSW 5687C and practices in Alabama.
Are sessions available in other languages or to international clients?
Services are offered in English only, and international clients are not currently accepted.
Which session formats are offered for appointments?
Appointments can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and preferences.
How is pricing handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working with this therapist?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Additional focus areas

Body imageCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsDivorce and separationForgivenessGuilt and shameLife purposePost-traumatic stressSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

5+ years

Licensed

Alabama

Languages

English