Mary Shands , LPC

Mary Shands is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Missouri and Texas with more than 12 years of experience supporting clients from pre-K through late adulthood. She brings a warm, energetic demeanor and strong listening skills to each session, combining clinical training with practical experience across multiple settings.

Her background includes work in school districts as a counselor in both special education and general education, roles within an insurance company, services for veterans, work at a substance abuse treatment center, and experience at a sexual offender treatment program. Over the years Mary has assisted people facing trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship and family conflicts, parenting challenges, emotional abuse, and separation issues related to adoption. She has also supported clients dealing with codependency, self-esteem concerns, women and teen issues, and mental health impacts related to COVID-19.

Mary uses a range of therapeutic methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Therapy, tailoring her approach to each person's needs. She is licensed in two states, stays current on required trainings, and also provides presentations and professional training. Mary accepts new clients and works with individuals, couples, families, and groups to build practical coping skills and clearer paths forward.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Mary

Mary integrates several evidence-informed approaches into her practice to address emotional, relational, and behavioral concerns. Client-Centered Therapy centers the client’s experience, offering a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where personal goals and self-direction guide the work; it is often helpful for building self-esteem and clarifying values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or depression and to develop practical coping skills. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early and ongoing relationship patterns influence current connections and emotional responses, making it useful for relationship difficulties, intimacy-related issues, and certain trauma-related concerns.

Choosing the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Mary works with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and she can adapt methods over time to find the best fit for the client’s situation. Licensed professionals and therapists often blend techniques to address complex concerns.

Online therapy with Mary offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, by phone, via live chat, or through text-based messaging. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care around work, family, or travel, and to access therapy from different locations while working together toward meaningful change.