Mary Downer, LISW

Mary Downer is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) practicing in Ohio with 17 years of experience supporting children, teenagers, and parents. She brings extensive experience working with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, Autism spectrum conditions, and ADHD, offering practical strategies tailored to each person's needs.

Mary frames each client as the expert of their own story and highlights existing strengths as the foundation for change. She recognizes that seeking help can feel overwhelming and aims to make that first step more manageable by providing steady guidance and clear next steps toward a more hopeful future.

Her approach centers on an open-minded, non-judgmental stance that respects individual differences and life experiences. Mary works collaboratively with clients to address obstacles preventing them from reaching their potential, offering support, encouragement, and evidence-informed tools to help navigate relationships, parenting challenges, grief, and mood concerns. She is committed to helping clients move forward at a pace that fits their goals and circumstances.

Evidence-Informed Approaches and Online Care

Mary Downer incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into her online practice, using structured techniques to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. CBT is often useful for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and difficulties with focus and impulse control.

She also utilizes Trauma-Focused Therapy to address the effects of traumatic experiences, helping clients process distressing memories and develop coping skills to reduce the impact of trauma-related symptoms. This approach aims to restore a greater sense of safety and functioning for those affected by abuse, accidents, or other traumatic events.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey, and Mary works collaboratively with each client to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and personal preferences. She adapts strategies over time based on how clients respond and what feels most helpful.

Online therapy with Mary is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or limited local options. These remote options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and access consistent support from a licensed professional without requiring travel.