Mary Shands , LPC

Mary Shands is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with more than 12 years of experience supporting people from pre-K through late adulthood. She holds licensure to practice in both Missouri and Texas and has worked in a variety of settings, including school districts in special and general education, an insurance company, services for veterans, a substance abuse treatment center, and a sexual offender treatment program.

Across these roles, Mary has helped people navigate trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, emotional abuse, and separation issues related to adoption. Her practice also addresses a broad array of struggles such as stress, addictions, grief, intimacy challenges, eating and sleeping difficulties, ADHD, and coping with life changes. She has additional experience working with issues that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, codependency, women and teen concerns, and self-esteem struggles.

Mary draws from several therapeutic approaches to meet each person where they are, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Therapy. She is known for attentive listening, a warm and caring demeanor, and an energetic presence that supports clients through change.

In addition to direct counseling, Mary provides presentations and professional training. She stays current with required continuing education and maintains active licensure in the states where she practices.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Mary integrates Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to tailor care to each person's needs. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns of connection and security in relationships and can help with intimacy issues, abandonment, and family dynamics. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy and respect, giving people a safe space to explore feelings and build self-understanding, which often benefits those facing depression, self-esteem concerns, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) addresses thoughts and behaviors by helping clients identify unhelpful patterns and develop practical strategies for anxiety, mood disorders, and coping skills.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Mary collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and circumstances, adjusting the focus over time as needed. This collaborative approach helps ensure therapy aligns with what the client hopes to achieve.

Online therapy with Mary is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care whether juggling work, family, or geographic constraints, and they support consistent progress toward therapeutic goals.