Mary Van Hooser, LISW

Mary Van Hooser, LISW, helps people who feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or traumatized find steady support and practical coping skills. She welcomes honest conversation at each person’s pace and focuses on what helps someone feel calmer and more in control day to day.

She has 35 years of experience as a social worker in mental health and brings that long practice to each session. Mary describes herself as nonjudgmental and relatable, drawing on lived experience with severe mental illness and addiction in her own family. She also identifies as a veteran and understands aspects of veteran culture.

Mary works with people facing a range of concerns, from mood disorders, depression, bipolar, and anxiety to addictions, trauma, and grief. She also supports those dealing with caregiver stress, compassion fatigue, isolation, and problems with intimacy or anger. Her goal is to help people remain connected to life in their community and to find manageable next steps.

Her style is straightforward and calm. She listens first and helps clients put problem-solving strategies into place. Conversations cover both current challenges and relevant past experiences when that helps clarify patterns and choices.

Sessions use practical tools drawn from the client’s needs. Mary encourages people to name what helps them feel safer and then build routines and skills around those choices. She aims to reduce stigma and offer steady encouragement while people work toward clearer goals and better daily functioning.

How her approaches fit online care

Mary uses client-centered work that focuses on the person’s priorities and pace, helping someone name what calms them and build on those strengths. This approach centers the conversation on what matters most to the client and can be helpful for caregiver stress, isolation, and life changes.

She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which looks at how thoughts, behaviors, and feelings connect. CBT offers concrete tools for mood disorders, anxiety, and coping with cravings or triggers. Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques add skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and reducing impulsive behavior.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. Mary will discuss goals and preferences and try methods that fit a person’s needs. She adjusts pacing and techniques so the work feels useful and manageable over time.

The biography does not specify which online session formats are offered, so confirm options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, shorten travel time, and allow regular check-ins during stressful periods. Many people find that remote sessions help them keep continuity of care while juggling caregiving, work, or recovery routines.