Mary is a Licensed Professional Counselor (DORA), Licensed School Counselor (CDE), and Special Education Generalist. 

She has been working with children and their families for the past 20 years. Mary has a background in child development, elementary education and special education, having worked for both public schools and non-profit organizations. She specializes in play therapy, attachment issues, parenting/family issues, learning through play, childhood behavior issues and social skills.

As an experienced diagnostician, Mary provides social-emotional assessments, cognitive/educational evaluations, and play-based assessments for younger children.  With a thorough knowledge of the special education process for children, Mary can help parents understand their rights regarding their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

As a school counselor, Mary has years of experience addressing behavior problems that may occur in adolescents and young adults, which may result from a need for individuation and separation. Occasionally, these behaviors may appear as disrespect or lack of motivation, causing difficulties in school or elsewhere. Adolescents and young adults may struggle to make sense of family issues, including parental separation, divorce, and/or step- and blended-family issues. At the same time, some individuals can experience difficulty with a sense of belonging and feel as if they lack meaningful friendships and relationships. As a result of any of these confusing feelings, adolescents and young adults might feel anxious, depressed, moody, defiant or exhibit power struggles.

Mary will work with individuals and their significant others to develop the proper coping and communication skills, resulting in healthy conflict resolutions to achieve meaningful and mutually respectful relationships.  In addition, Mary can address stress and anxiety issues that may occur when young adults move on to college. 

She is also a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the American School Counselors Association. Mary can empathize with the joys and challenges of raising children, having raised three of her own.