Mary Buntin, LCSW

Mary Buntin is a licensed clinical social worker with forty years of experience. She helps people cope with grief, loss, depression, anxiety, and major life changes. Her work often centers on strengthening a person’s sense of self and building on existing strengths.

She has a particular interest in helping people who are transitioning into retirement and the older adult years. She also supports caregivers who are dealing with the stress of caring for someone with a degenerative illness. Compassion fatigue is another concern she addresses in sessions.

Her practical approach focuses on identifying what is working and using those strengths to manage challenges. Sessions emphasize realistic steps clients can try between meetings. She speaks plainly and offers steady support while clients try new ways of coping.

Mary encourages clients to notice small changes that add up over time. She aims to empower people who are ready to make life changes but feel uncertain where to start. The first conversations usually prioritize immediate concerns and safety, then move toward longer term goals.

Mary works in Virginia and conducts sessions in English. If you are supporting a loved one or facing a life transition, she can help you clarify priorities and build a plan that fits your day to day life.

Evidence-based approaches for caregivers and life transitions

Mary describes her practice as grounded in evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change. One common approach she uses helps people identify strengths and build coping skills for stress and anxiety by practicing small, manageable steps each week. Another approach emphasizes grief and loss work where conversations center on meaning, routines that support daily functioning, and ways to remember what matters while adjusting to change.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Mary will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals and preferences. She listens to what matters to the client, then adjusts pace and focus based on how the client responds.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the therapist's current session options before booking, since formats are not listed in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when time is limited. It can also make it simpler to connect while caring for someone else or managing health-related appointments. Licensed professionals can use these options to help clients maintain steady progress between in-person visits if that fits their needs.