Mary Shands , LPC

Mary Shands is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in Missouri and Texas with 12 years of experience supporting clients from pre-K age through late adulthood. She has worked across varied settings including school districts as a counselor in both special education and general education, an insurance company, veteran services, a substance abuse treatment center, and a sexual offender treatment program.

Mary has helped people address trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, parenting challenges, emotional abuse, and separation issues related to adoption. Her practice also includes work with addictions, family conflict, grief, eating and sleeping issues, and compassion fatigue, and she has experience assisting clients with mental health effects related to COVID-19, codependency, women and teen issues, and self-esteem struggles.

Her clinical toolkit includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Reality Therapy, Solution-Focused methods, and Mindfulness-Based techniques. Mary pairs those approaches with attentive listening, a warm and caring demeanor, and an energetic presence to create collaborative, goal-oriented sessions. She remains current on required trainings and also provides presentations and professional training at various venues.

As an LPC practicing in two states, Mary focuses on meeting clients where they are and helping them build practical strategies for coping, healing, and moving forward.

Approaches used in online therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with life changes because it focuses on practical strategies and skills for day-to-day improvement.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a nonjudgmental, empathetic relationship where the therapist supports the client in exploring feelings and goals at their own pace. This approach can be helpful for self-esteem, relationship concerns, and navigating transitions by centering the client’s experience.

Attachment-Based perspectives explore how early and current relationship patterns shape emotional responses and intimacy. This approach is useful for relationship difficulties, abandonment or adoption-related concerns, and issues tied to trust and closeness.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Mary collaborates with clients to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to attend sessions around work, caregiving, or geography. Many people find that virtual options increase access to licensed professionals and allow therapy to integrate more smoothly into daily life.