Mary VanAlstine, LPCC

Mary VanAlstine is a Minnesota-licensed LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) with three years of professional experience. They work with people facing LGBTQ+ related concerns, trauma and abuse, motivation and confidence challenges, low self-esteem, and bipolar disorder, bringing a focused and empathetic approach to each client interaction.

Mary centers the client's own knowledge and strengths, believing that each person is the expert of their story and already has resources to draw on when facing difficult changes. They emphasizes small, courageous steps toward a more fulfilling life and offers support aimed at building resilience, self-confidence, and practical strategies for managing symptoms.

Clients can expect a collaborative partnership in which Mary listens closely, validates lived experience, and helps identify concrete goals and tools tailored to individual needs. Their practice aims to empower clients through encouragement, skill-building, and steady support during the process of growth and recovery.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Therapy

Mary draws on evidence-based, trauma-informed practices that help people process difficult experiences and reduce the impact of past harm. Trauma-informed care focuses on safety, pacing, and recognizing how past events shape current reactions, which can be especially helpful for survivors of abuse and others coping with traumatic stress.

They also use skills-based interventions that teach practical tools for managing mood, attention, and self-esteem. These techniques emphasize building day-to-day strategies for emotion regulation, improving motivation, and strengthening confidence, which can support people living with bipolar disorder or attention challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Mary works collaboratively to identify which techniques align with each client’s goals, needs, and preferences. Together they set priorities, try methods, and adjust the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit support into a busy life or when in-person options are limited. These options allow licensed professionals and therapists to provide consistent, ongoing care while adapting to each client’s schedule and communication style.