Mary Shands

My communication style

I prioritize clear, open communication to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment. It is important to me to practice active listening, which will give you opportunities to reflect. You can expect me to be non-judgmental, calm, and patient.

My journey to mental healthcare

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, I was a Social Worker for the following populations: HIV/AIDS, Seniors and Disabled, and serving populations with Neurodivergent. I began to focus more on Mental Health, and in 2012, I obtained my Master's and became a Licensed Professional Counselor.

My goals for you

I conduct a thorough assessment including medical history, medication, and psychosocial factors. I use both video and in-person sessions to pick up on verbal and non-verbal cues as we work toward your goals.

Our first session

I ask a lot of questions in our first session. It is still a "get to know you" session, but I like to probe and talk about your life experiences, realizing that this is the beginning of rapport building. The goal is to gather as much information about you to begin to set up a treatment plan just for you, that we both agree on.

I identify as...

• Female
• Black or African American
• Christian