Mary Heaney-Gárate, LCSW

Welcome! I am a clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience helping people cope with what troubles them and achieve the life-worth-living they envision for themselves. I believe in the fundamental resilience of people. We all are doing the best we can AND are capable of doing even better. I've helped people navigate challenges in their relationships, families, school, workplace, & communities. Together, we've addressed: anxiety & depression; addiction/abuse (alcohol/drugs/medication); grief, stress, & burnout; shame & self-confidence; and trauma including rape, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse. I also provide licensure supervision. My mission is to ensure you feel heard, supported, and empowered to achieve your goals and experience your best life.

My counseling style is compassionate and collaborative. I provide space that is safe and affirming for people of all ages, abilities, genders, backgrounds, beliefs, & identities. I listen. I never judge or blame clients. I believe my clients. Sessions are filled with invitations to explore, not expectations. I ask. I never push. You get to set your goals and decide what gets discussed. Narrating every painful detail of your childhood or something that has happened to you more recently is not required in order to heal. Re-living trauma does not resolve trauma. Connecting physical feelings to emotions, thoughts, and spirit brings about healing.

Will therapy be hard? Yes, sometimes it can be. Talking about past or present difficulties can trigger unpleasant thoughts and emotions. You may experience considerable discomfort when strong feelings of anger, sadness, or fear emerge. Sometimes therapy can feel relaxing and empowering. You may experience a sense of calm, relief, hope, or self-confidence. In therapy, we celebrate the wins.

Maybe someone has suggested giving therapy a try. You wonder if it could help. You are looking for someone to listen, who gets it and gets you. You need affirmation and someone who will tell you the truth without sugar-coating it. You want options and solutions, not a diagnosis. It's okay if you're not really sure. I encourage you to reach out to me with your questions. Get a feel for what it might be like to talk with me. There is no charge and no obligation to schedule an appointment. You can start or stop therapy anytime and don't owe me a reason. You determine how often you want to come to therapy and the pace. No one knows what you need better than you. It's your life. I look forward to hearing all about it, when you are ready. Take care.