Mary Whalen

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and work with adults who want a supportive, reflective space to better understand themselves and navigate life’s challenges. I support clients experiencing anxiety, chronic stress, relationship difficulties, burnout, parenting challenges, and major life transitions.

I also bring extensive experience working with children and teens which provides a valuable perspective in my work with adults who are parents. I enjoy working with parents who want to better understand their children, strengthen connection and feel more confident navigating the often complicated demands of parenting.

I offer teletherapy to adults located in North Carolina.

My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and engaged, while also being direct when helpful. I believe therapy can be meaningful and challenging without always feeling heavy and I often incorporate appropriate humor, warmth, and a genuine sense of humanity into our work. I use an integrative model that incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Our work often focuses on clarifying values, building coping strategies, improving relationships and making changes that feel realistic. I strive to provide a non-judgmental environment where clients feel understood and respected while developing tools they can use in their everyday lives.

Think of our first session as a gentle getting-to-know-you conversation. We will focus on making you comfortable, gathering a history and an understanding of the issues that brought you to treatment and then mapping out your goals for our work together. It is a space for you to see how the therapy process feels and ensure you feel confident moving forward.