Dr. Mary Moran , LCSW

Dr. Mary Moran is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with two decades of experience supporting people facing mental health and substance use challenges. She trained with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Missouri, a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. from the University of Utah. Her career has focused largely on mental health and addiction treatment, and she has also served as a clinical supervisor for social workers and mental health counselors for more than 12 years.

Her clinical approach blends evidence-based and relational techniques. She regularly uses cognitive-behavioral methods to address unhelpful thinking patterns, psychodynamic ideas to explore deeper relational themes, reality therapy to focus on present choices, structural family therapy to map family dynamics, spiritually-centered practices when appropriate, and solution-focused interventions to build practical steps forward. Her training is grounded in family systems theory and feminist perspectives, and she has recently pursued additional study in trauma-informed therapy.

Dr. Moran emphasizes collaborative work - she partners with clients to set meaningful goals and to evaluate progress. She favors a person-in-the-environment perspective that attends both to internal thoughts and emotions and to the social and environmental forces affecting wellbeing. This integrative stance guides her work with individuals, families, and couples navigating stress, addiction, trauma, relationship difficulties, caregiving strains, and life transitions.

Practical Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care

Dr. Mary Moran draws on several established approaches to guide online therapy. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a nonjudgmental, empathetic space where the client leads the pace of work and the therapist supports self-discovery - it is helpful for building self-esteem, navigating life transitions, and addressing feelings of isolation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers concrete tools to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress and support recovery from substance use. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and self-compassion techniques that help manage emotional reactivity, chronic stress, and trauma-related symptoms.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Moran works with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and then tailors a mix of methods that fits their situation. The therapeutic plan can evolve as progress is made and circumstances change.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place via video calls, by phone, through live chat, or with text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, to access care from different locations, and to choose the format that feels most comfortable for communication and reflection.