Mary Stein , LMFT

Mary Stein is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 27 years of clinical experience. She earned a master’s degree in Counseling from Phillips Graduate Institute and became licensed in 1999 (CA LMFT 35416). Over the course of her career she has worked with individuals, couples, and families, bringing experience from private practice as well as roles as a clinical supervisor in adolescent residential programs and work at a domestic violence agency.

Her practice addresses a broad range of concerns including stress and anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, grief and depression, addictions, family and intimacy-related issues, eating and sleeping challenges, parenting and caregiver stress, anger and self-esteem struggles, career transitions, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include aging and geriatric concerns, chronic illness and pain, codependency, communication problems, infidelity, and family of origin issues.

Mary’s counseling style is described as warm, accepting, and interactive. She emphasizes respect, kindness, and positive feedback while working collaboratively to explore what has brought each person to seek help. From that starting point she and the client determine evidence-informed methods and practical tools to support progress. She values a compassionate approach that honors each person’s strengths and choices, and finds professional fulfillment in witnessing client growth and the positive effects that change can have on clients’ wider circles of relationships.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Mary Stein integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into remote sessions to meet a range of concerns. Client-centered therapy focuses on building an accepting, collaborative relationship where the therapist listens, reflects, and supports each person’s self-exploration and personal goals - a helpful approach for relationship issues, self-esteem, and life transitions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical skills to manage emotions and behaviors, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with stress.

She also draws on existential ideas to help clients explore meaning, values, and choices when facing major life questions or transitions. Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process; Mary works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online sessions offer practical flexibility: clients can meet by video, speak by phone, or use live chat and text-based messaging depending on what fits their schedule and comfort. These options make it easier to access consistent support from licensed professionals while balancing work, family, and other commitments, and they allow therapeutic work to continue even when in-person visits are not feasible.