- CBT methods
- Client-centered work
- Mindfulness tools
About Mary
Mary Stein is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 27 years of experience. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, anger, and other life changes. Sessions are aimed at practical changes rather than quick fixes.
She uses a mix of approaches to fit the problem at hand. Mary draws on client-centered techniques to build a respectful working relationship. She also uses cognitive behavioral strategies to spot unhelpful thinking and change behavior. Mindfulness and existential ideas appear in her work to help with meaning and daily coping.
Mary has worked in private practice, adolescent residential programs, and a domestic violence agency. That variety informs how she talks about relationships, safety, and practical next steps. She has experience supporting people through addiction, grief, and the aftermath of trauma.
Her style is interactive and focused on what the person needs next. Conversations look at what led to the problem, then try concrete tools to respond differently. She encourages small steps that add up to bigger shifts over time.
Practical skills can include thought records, behavior experiments, emotion regulation techniques, and mindfulness exercises. Mary supports exploration of values and choices when people want clearer direction or purpose. The goal is to help people return to more manageable day-to-day functioning.
To begin, readers are invited to consider how current patterns show up in daily life and what small first steps could look like. The work emphasizes collaboration, steady progress, and combining insight with usable skills.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Client-centered therapy focuses on building a respectful, collaborative relationship. Online sessions use that same stance to let the person set goals and pace, and the therapist listens to what matters most in daily life.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is about spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. In online work this often means using written worksheets, homework tasks, and live problem-solving during the session to change patterns that feed anger or anxiety.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers emotion regulation and interpersonal tools. Practically, online sessions can include practicing skills like distress tolerance and boundary-setting and then reviewing how those skills were used between appointments.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to decide which methods fit the person’s goals, needs, and habits. Expect a mix of conversation, skill practice, and small actionable steps rather than a single technique.
Please confirm current session formats before booking, as this biography does not list specific options. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example shorter check-ins around work breaks, not needing travel time, or switching to audio when less bandwidth is available. These practical benefits help people maintain regular progress alongside daily responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
27+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she work with?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, anger, and related life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is interactive and client-centered, focusing on respect, clear feedback, and practical steps to change thinking and behavior.
How much experience does she have?
She has 27 years of clinical experience, including private practice and roles in adolescent residential programs and a domestic violence agency.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA LMFT) and practices in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.