Mary Sanders, LMHC
Washington LMHC focused on relationships and trauma
- Relationship and family focus
- Trauma and grief support
- Creative arts therapies
About Mary Sanders
Mary Sanders is a Washington-licensed mental health counselor (LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor) with 17 years of professional experience in both private practice and community health settings. She brings a dual background in the arts and mental health, combining advanced training in creative arts therapies and drama therapy with clinical approaches to support people through relationship struggles, family conflict, trauma and abuse, grief, and life transitions.
Mary works with clients of all ages in both individual and family formats, emphasizing expressive arts and theatre-based methods as part of the healing process. She has two decades of experience using theatre and other expressive modalities to help people explore emotions, rebuild connection, and practice new ways of relating. In trauma work she integrates EMDR-informed strategies, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), and creative arts therapies with careful attention to pacing and client readiness.
Additional tools Mary often draws on include role theory, sociometry, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing to address issues such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, communication problems, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, isolation, and social anxiety. She can provide assessment and basic recommendations for nutritional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches as part of a holistic plan for mental health.
Mary aims to create an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be explored. She describes the step toward therapy as an act of courage and positions herself as a supportive partner in the process of finding more fulfilling and satisfying ways of living.
Mary works with clients of all ages in both individual and family formats, emphasizing expressive arts and theatre-based methods as part of the healing process. She has two decades of experience using theatre and other expressive modalities to help people explore emotions, rebuild connection, and practice new ways of relating. In trauma work she integrates EMDR-informed strategies, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), and creative arts therapies with careful attention to pacing and client readiness.
Additional tools Mary often draws on include role theory, sociometry, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing to address issues such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, communication problems, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, isolation, and social anxiety. She can provide assessment and basic recommendations for nutritional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches as part of a holistic plan for mental health.
Mary aims to create an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be explored. She describes the step toward therapy as an act of courage and positions herself as a supportive partner in the process of finding more fulfilling and satisfying ways of living.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesCommunication problemsDivorce and separationGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisPost-traumatic stressSocial anxiety and phobia
Therapeutic Approach
Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Mary Sanders have?
Mary Sanders has 17 years of professional experience.
Is Mary Sanders a licensed therapist?
Yes. Mary Sanders is licensed as an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor). License details: WA LMHC LH60462192.
In which languages does Mary Sanders provide therapy?
Mary Sanders provides therapy in English.
Where is Mary Sanders located?
Mary Sanders is located in Washington.
How can I work with Mary Sanders as my therapist?
You can work with Mary Sanders through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Mary Sanders work with international clients?
Mary Sanders does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Mary Sanders cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Mary Sanders integrates several evidence-informed approaches into her practice to meet a range of needs. Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns of connection and separation formed in early relationships and helps clients address abandonment, trust, and intimacy concerns by strengthening emotional bonds and relational skills. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and collaboration; it offers a supportive environment where clients can clarify values, process emotions, and drive their own change at a comfortable pace. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and teaching practical strategies to manage symptoms like anxiety, low mood, and social phobia.Finding the best approach is often part of the therapeutic journey. Mary Sanders works collaboratively with each person to tailor methods to their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds and priorities evolve. Licensed professionals often combine modalities to create a cohesive plan that fits the individual.
Online therapy with Mary is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for varied schedules and lifestyles. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support from home, and choose the format that feels most comfortable for exploring relationships, trauma recovery, grief, and life changes.