Mary Van Hooser

Mary Van Hooser is a licensed independent social worker who helps people who feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or traumatized. She speaks plainly and listens without judgment so people can talk at their own pace. Her first aim is to help someone feel calmer and find practical steps forward.

With 35 years of social work experience in mental health, Mary supports people living with serious and chronic disorders as well as those facing stress, grief, or struggles with addiction. She draws on her own life experience as a spouse, parent, sibling, and veteran to bring empathy and real-world perspective to conversations.

Mary encourages people to name what helps them feel safe and to develop coping skills they can use day to day. She uses client-centered problem solving and teaches concrete skills for managing strong emotions and difficult situations. Her style is open and straightforward, and she aims to reduce stigma around mental health.

She also works with family members of people in recovery, offering understanding about what it is like to care for someone with serious mental illness. Mary mentions veteran culture from her own background and can relate to common military experiences.

Clients can expect calm listening, practical suggestions, and help building skills to improve daily life. Mary aims to help people move past obstacles so they can feel more connected and find greater meaning and satisfaction.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Mary works from Trauma-Focused Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in ways that are easy to understand. Trauma-Focused Therapy helps people name and process upsetting events at a pace that feels manageable and can reduce symptoms tied to past trauma. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, acceptance, and working from the client's goals so sessions feel guided by what matters most to the person. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Mary will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, then shape sessions to match those needs. She encourages open feedback so the work can change as progress is made.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Many people find it simpler to use online therapy to practice skills between sessions and to keep momentum while adjusting schedules.