Mary Van Hooser, LISW - Therapist in Ohio

About Mary

Mary Van Hooser is a licensed independent social worker who helps people feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or traumatized find practical ways to cope. She listens without judgment and moves at each person’s pace so they can talk about what feels safe and calming. Her style is steady and calm, aimed at reducing shame and helping people get daily life back on track.

Mary brings 35 years of social work experience in mental health.

Background and approach

She supports people with a wide range of concerns, including addiction, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, grief, and stress. She also addresses issues such as caregiver stress, compassion fatigue, isolation, and problems with impulse control. She draws on client-centered methods alongside cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior strategies.

That means sessions focus on what matters to the person, while also building skills to manage intense feelings and change unhelpful patterns. Mindfulness and existential ideas help people find meaning and stay present when life feels hard. Mary also meets with family members of people living with serious mental illness and brings personal lived experience to that work.

She notes veteran culture familiarity as part of her background and aims to be empathetic and nonjudgmental. In sessions she listens to history and current struggles, helps name problems, and then works with clients to try practical, client-centered solutions. Her goal is to help people move toward a steadier, more fulfilling daily life.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Mary combines client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral strategies to help people name problems and try concrete changes. Client-centered work means conversations follow what feels most important to the person, while CBT helps identify thinking and behavior patterns that keep problems going.

She also uses dialectical behavior therapy skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills are useful for managing intense feelings, reducing impulsive reactions, and improving relationships when emotions run high.

Finding the right approach is part of the process and Mary works with clients to decide what fits best. She will talk with you about goals, what has or hasn’t helped in the past, and which methods feel most comfortable so the plan is collaborative and practical.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules or people who prefer remote options. These choices make it easier to keep therapy consistent while fitting into work, caregiving, or other responsibilities.

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 issues does she help with?

She works with a wide range of concerns including addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief, family stress, and compassion fatigue.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is calm and nonjudgmental, emphasizing listening, validation, and practical coping skills drawn from client-centered, CBT, and DBT methods.

How long has she practiced?

Mary has worked in mental health social work for 35 years and brings that experience into clinical work and family support.

Where is she based and what are her credentials?

She is located in Ohio and holds the LISW credential with license OH LISW I.0009592-SUPV.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English and Mary accepts international clients.

What session formats are available?

Therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs.

How does payment or cost work?

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

How do I begin if I want to work with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 35 years
Licensed: Ohio
Languages: English

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