
About Mary Lou.
Hi there, welcome!
I’m so glad you found my website—chances are, something inside you is nudging you to take action, make a change, or get support. My goal here is to give you a clear sense of who I am, how I work, and what it’s like to work with me—so you feel confident and comfortable taking that next step.
I work primarily with high-achieving young professionals, driven adults, and motivated clients who struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, and the pressures of balancing work, relationships, and life. My clients often describe me as warm and relatable, but practical, solution-focused, trustworthy, and effective, and that’s exactly how I structure our work together.
I’m deeply passionate about helping clients see and feel tangible progress. Together, we focus on building practical strategies, routines, and coping tools that reduce stress and anxiety while also addressing work, relationship, and life challenges. I integrate solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, nervous system regulation, and feedback-informed therapy, which allows us to create a personalized plan that targets your goals and tracks your growth.
While we may explore past patterns or childhood influences that contribute to your current challenges, our work is always forward-moving and action-oriented. After each session, I ask for your feedback so we can make sure our time is productive, efficient, and tailored to what you need most.
My goal is to help you slow down without falling behind, regain clarity and confidence, and build a life that feels manageable, enjoyable, and aligned with your priorities.
My Therapy Philosophy
I believe therapy should do more than help you cope—it should help you build a life that genuinely feels good to live. Many of my clients come to therapy functioning well on the outside. They're successful in their careers, committed to their relationships, and doing everything they "should" be doing, yet they still feel anxious, overwhelmed, burned out, or disconnected from themselves. My goal isn't simply to reduce symptoms; it's to help you create a life that feels just as fulfilling on the inside as it appears on the outside.
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I take a practical, solution-focused approach to therapy. While understanding why you think and feel the way you do is important, insight alone rarely creates lasting change. I want every session to leave you with something tangible—whether that's a new perspective, a concrete skill, a communication strategy, or an action step you can begin using immediately. Together, we'll identify what's keeping you stuck and develop practical tools to help you move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
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I believe meaningful change happens when we address the whole person. Our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, physical well-being, relationships, environment, and personal values all influence one another. Rather than focusing on one piece in isolation, we'll look at how these areas work together and make intentional changes that support long-term growth. For clients who desire it, I'm also happy to incorporate faith or spirituality into our work in a way that aligns with their values.
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One of the things I value most is making sure therapy is actually helping. I use Feedback-Informed Therapy to regularly monitor your progress, gather your feedback, and adjust our work together as needed. Therapy shouldn't feel like you're talking in circles or wondering whether you're making progress. I want you to see meaningful change over time and know that our work is moving you closer to the life you want to build.
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Ultimately, my philosophy is simple: I don't want anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, or chronic stress to dictate the direction of your life. I want you to pursue meaningful goals without sacrificing your peace, your relationships, or your sense of self. It's possible to work hard, care deeply, and strive for excellence while also feeling grounded, present, and genuinely fulfilled. That's the balance I help my clients create.
Education
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Master of Science in Counseling, Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, California State University Long Beach
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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Gonzaga University.
Clinical Experience
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Therapist and Intake Coordinator at Jewish Family & Children's Services.
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Therapist at CSULB Community Clinic.
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Therapist at Hope By the Sea Treatment Center.
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Therapist at Laguna Treatment Hospital
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Therapist at OC Mental Health Associates group practice
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Therapist at JSerra Catholic High School
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Private practice owner

Hi, I'm Mary Lou.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist &
Licensed Professional Counselor serving California and Virginia residents.
Certifications
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Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional by Evergreen
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Externship in Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples; Professional Training by Dr. Silvina Irwin.
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Certified Clinical Trauma; Professional Training by: Dr. J. Eric Gentry- Arizona State University.
Specialty Areas
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Anxiety for high-achievers
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Corporate employees
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Business owners
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Burnout management
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Perfectionism
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Social anxiety
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Dating coaching
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20's and 30's
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Life transitions
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Relationship issues
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Couples Therapy
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Premarital Therapy
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Faith-based or values-based counseling