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MS Portrait of Mary Shands

Mary Shands

Hopeful, practical therapy with an attentive LPC

LPC Texas

Experience
12 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Mary

About Mary

Mary Shands is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Texas with more than 12 years of clinical experience.

Background and approach

She has worked across varied settings including school districts, substance abuse treatment, veterans services, insurance contexts, and sexual offender treatment, which has informed a broad approach to supporting people with trauma, mood concerns, and relationship challenges. Her background includes counseling clients across a wide age range and addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, addictions, parenting difficulties, and grief.

Mary draws on multiple therapeutic methods to tailor care to each person’s needs, with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) among the approaches she uses. She combines skills in client-centered and emotionally focused perspectives alongside mindfulness-informed techniques to help clients manage symptoms, rebuild relationships, and navigate life transitions.

Known for attentive listening, an energetic presence, and a warm demeanor, Mary also offers trainings and presentations and holds active licensure in both Missouri and Texas. Prospective clients can expect a pragmatic, empathetic clinician who adapts strategies to fit individual goals and circumstances.

How Mary’s Approaches Translate to Online Therapy

Mary commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and developing practical strategies to manage anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors. Attachment-Based Therapy is also part of her toolkit and emphasizes how early and current relationship patterns affect emotional responses, helping people repair connections and build stronger interpersonal skills.

Deciding on the right approach is a collaborative process. Mary works with each client to understand their goals, preferences, and challenges, and she adapts methods over time so therapy remains aligned with what the client needs and wants to accomplish.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These options allow clients to fit therapy into busy schedules, continue work during transitions, or connect from different locations while maintaining continuity of care with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Mary commonly address?
Mary works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and family difficulties, depression, grief, self-esteem, and issues related to parenting and career.
What is Mary’s overall therapeutic style?
Her approach blends practical, skills-based methods with empathic listening; she uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside client-centered and emotionally focused techniques and mindfulness-informed practices.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Mary has 12 years of professional experience working in schools, treatment centers, veterans services, and other settings, supporting clients across a broad age range and a variety of presenting issues.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with active credentials in Missouri and Texas, and she practices out of Texas.
Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she does accept international clients.
In what session formats does she work?
Mary provides a range of online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression

Also works with

LGBTTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAvoidant personalityBody imageCancerCodependencyControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFirst responder issuesForgivenessHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

12+ years

Licensed

Missouri, Texas

Languages

English