Mary "Jane" Poulson, LPC, LMHC - Therapist in Washington

About Mary

Mary "Jane" Poulson brings three decades of counseling experience to her work. She uses a straightforward, down-to-earth style that helps people talk through stress, anxiety, depression, and major life changes. Jane is licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington, and she names parenting and family among her practice interests.

Her sessions are interactive and practical. She helps clients learn skills for managing strong emotions, sleep problems, grief, and addiction-related struggles.

Background and approach

She also supports people facing career decisions, relationship issues, and concerns related to ADHD or bipolar mood challenges. Jane draws on client-centered methods to follow each person’s pace and priorities. She pairs that with cognitive behavioral tools to spot unhelpful thinking and DBT skills to manage intense feelings.

Mindfulness exercises and motivational interviewing are woven in when they fit the person’s goals. Over her career she has worked extensively in behavioral health settings with adolescents and adults. That background informs how she adjusts techniques to real-life situations and everyday stressors.

Her way of working is practical and respectful, focused on what the client wants to change. People who choose Jane typically want a therapist who listens without judgment and offers concrete strategies. She frames therapy as a collaboration - working together to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.

The emphasis is on small, doable steps and clearer communication at home and work.

Approaches that translate well to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and following the client’s lead. In practice this means sessions focus on what matters most to the person and the therapist adapts to their pace and priorities. This approach helps with building trust and clarifying goals for issues like relationship or parenting strain.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and changing patterns of behavior. It often includes simple exercises and homework to try between sessions, which works well over video or phone when the therapist and client review progress together.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions and improving communication. Skills practice and role-play can be done in live sessions and reinforced through messaging or short check-ins.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each client to choose methods based on needs, goals, and preferences. Approaches can be mixed and adjusted over time so therapy stays useful and practical.

Online sessions offer flexibility for busy families and people with tight schedules. Video calls let the therapist and client see each other, while phone sessions remove technology barriers. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for brief check-ins, skill reminders, and tracking homework. Together these formats make it easier to keep therapy consistent while fitting into daily life.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she help with?

She works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and sleeping problems, along with parenting and family issues.

What is her therapy style like?

Her style is interactive and down-to-earth. Sessions focus on listening, teaching practical skills, and working together on clear goals.

How much experience does she have?

She has 30 years of experience in the behavioral health field, with extensive work supporting adolescents and adults.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She holds the credentials LPC and LMHC with the following details: OR LPC C6848 and WA LMHC LH00005937. She practices in Washington.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How does cost and billing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions operate through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Self esteem
Career difficulties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 30 years
Licensed: Washington, Oregon
Languages: English

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