Mary Vietmeier, LPCC

Mary Vietmeier brings a lifetime of caregiving and clinical experience to her therapeutic work, blending a background in nursing with decades in mental health counseling and theological study. She trained and worked in nursing settings including surgery, labor and delivery, and cancer research before a serious back injury in 1988 prompted a career shift. Mary returned to school, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Capital University in 1993, then completing graduate study at Ohio State University in 2001 and becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - LPCC - in Ohio the same year. As an LPCC she is qualified to assess and treat mental health and adjustment concerns.

After a period of retirement in 2016, Mary pursued theological studies and earned a Master of Divinity in May 2020. In the summer of 2021 she completed a chaplaincy internship at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage, supporting the emotional and spiritual needs of people facing severe and often life-threatening health challenges. Throughout her life she has combined clinical skill with lived experience caring for family and friends.

Mary practices from a person-centered, holistic perspective that considers physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions without judgment. She has extensive experience addressing depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, health crises, grief, trauma, self-esteem, and issues related to spirituality and life purpose. She typically works with individuals rather than couples or families, and does not usually provide services for addictions or ADHD. Mary often favors video sessions because much communication is nonverbal, and she uses an eclectic mix of therapeutic skills developed over 21 years in practice and a lifetime of caregiving. She aims to help clients gain clarity, deepen self-understanding, and identify meaningful choices that support resilience and hope.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Mary integrates several evidence-informed approaches to support emotional healing and practical change. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental stance in which the therapist listens deeply and follows the client s priorities - this approach helps people who need space to explore values, identity, and life purpose. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early bonds shape present relationships and emotional responses - it is useful for addressing intimacy-related issues, abandonment, and patterns that repeat across relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT - focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress and to build practical coping skills.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Mary works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts her work as those needs evolve.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing therapy to fit into busy schedules and varied lifestyles. Mary often prefers video sessions because much communication is nonverbal, but she and other licensed professionals can use the format that feels most accessible and effective for the individual.