Mary is a fully licensed Clinical Master Social Worker who is also certified in Trauma Focused CBT & Addictions. She has additional specialized training in Perinatal Mood Disorders and Postpartum Depression. Mary received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University in 2007 and has over 15 years of experience, including Outpatient Therapy for children and adults (4 years to 65+), Program Management for a Supervised Parenting Time & Safe Exchange program, Case Management for the Mother and Baby Unit at Pine Rest, and as an On Call Emergency Mental Health Clinician.
Prior to receiving her MSW, Mary earned a Bachelor and Associate degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement respectively. her knowledge of the law, Child Protective Services, and family court procedure has been an asset in her work as a LMSW working with families throughout her career dealing with issues of custody, addictions, and imminent safety concerns including domestic violence and child abuse. Mary is highly experienced in family court testimony and training others in court etiquette. She is passionate about safety and preventative work as an Outpatient Therapist and was instrumental in developing safety protocol during a Pilot Program for Home Based Clinicians in Kent County. She emphasizes safety in all aspects of care for children and adults.
Mary very much enjoys capturing a client “in the moment” of learning something new about themselves during processing or skills development and seeing the look of delight on their faces when they have recognized growth and gained new and important personal insight. Her main modalities and interventions used include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT Informed Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) interventions, Expressive Arts, and Rogerian methods.
Mary is honored that she is given the opportunity to provide a sacred and safe place for all that she serves. She values greatly the opportunity to meet and collaborate with her clients and to be a part of their personal growth and discovery. She believes wholeheartedly in the value of therapy, works daily to reduce stigma associated with both mental health and addiction-related concerns, and feels blessed to serve along with her amazing colleagues at the Pine Rest Retreat Clinic.
