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MS Portrait of Mary Stein

Mary Stein

Experienced relational therapist focused on growth

LMFT California

Experience
27 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Mary

Mary Stein is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 27 years of clinical experience.

Background and approach

She focuses on a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, eating and sleeping problems, parenting and family difficulties, anger and self-esteem, career challenges, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.

Her additional areas of focus include caregiving stress, chronic pain and illness, codependency, communication problems, divorce and separation, domestic violence, substance issues, body image, and infidelity. Her approach is collaborative and warm, emphasizing an accepting therapeutic relationship that considers each person’s strengths, goals, and life stage.

Mary blends practical problem-solving with deeper exploration, drawing on client-centered principles alongside cognitive behavioral strategies, dialectical behavior techniques, existential inquiry, and mindfulness practices to help clients learn new ways of thinking, managing strong emotions, and making meaningful choices.

She has worked in independent practice, adolescent residential programs as a clinical supervisor, and a domestic violence agency, bringing varied perspectives to her work. Mary values compassion, respect, and interactive feedback in sessions, aiming to support steady progress through manageable steps.

Prospective clients can expect a therapist who prioritizes understanding where they are in life and then tailoring methods and tools to help them move toward healthier, more fulfilling relationships and daily functioning.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit your life

Mary integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy into her online practice. CBT helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns, develop practical coping skills, and practice problem-solving to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. Client-centered work emphasizes a respectful, accepting relationship where the therapist listens closely and supports each client's own goals and strengths.

She also brings Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills into treatment when emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness are priorities. DBT offers concrete tools for managing intense emotions, improving communication, and reducing behaviors that get in the way of daily functioning. Together with mindfulness techniques and existential reflection, these approaches support both symptom relief and deeper exploration of values and meaning.

Finding the right mix of methods is collaborative; the therapist will work with clients to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. Online formats provide flexibility: video calls for face-to-face connection, phone sessions when video isn't possible, and live chat or text-based messaging for ongoing check-ins and convenience. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life while maintaining consistent progress.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?
Mary works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related problems, eating and sleeping concerns, parenting and family conflicts, anger, self-esteem, career challenges, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe the therapeutic approach and style?
The style is warm, accepting, and interactive, combining respect and positive feedback with collaborative exploration. Methods are chosen to fit each person's goals and strengths rather than using a single fixed technique.
What is Mary Stein's clinical background and experience?
She has 27 years of experience, has worked in independent practice, served as a clinical supervisor in adolescent residential programs, and has experience with a domestic violence agency.
What credentials and location apply to this therapist?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with the license CA LMFT 35416.
Which languages are offered and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English, and this therapist is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for online work?
Mary offers several formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How does someone begin therapy with this clinician?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Also works with

AddictionsFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

27+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English