Mary Messerschmidt, LCSW
Virginia LCSW with 25 years experience
- Addictions and trauma
- Relationship and intimacy
- Life coaching integration
About Mary Messerschmidt
Mary Messerschmidt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Virginia with 25 years of clinical experience. She combines clinical training and recent certification in life coaching to offer a blended approach that respects each person's unique life story and goals. As an LCSW she draws on social work principles and clinical skills to address complex concerns while honoring individual strengths and values.
Her work centers on building a genuine, compassionate therapeutic relationship and using focused, evidence-informed methods to help people navigate change. Mary adapts interventions to fit each person rather than relying on fixed labels, believing that growth often emerges when challenges are met with thoughtful support and practical strategies. She integrates coaching perspectives when helpful to support goal setting and forward movement.
Mary’s clinical focus spans a broad range of issues, including addictions, relationship and intimacy difficulties, self-esteem and shame, bipolar disorder, anxiety and stress, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting and family concerns, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and LGBT-related issues. She also works with matters such as abandonment, adoption and foster care, attachment concerns, caregiver stress, codependency, commitment and control issues, domestic violence, substance-related problems, and coping with life changes and disasters.
Her training includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which she selects and tailors to each person’s needs and preferences.
Her work centers on building a genuine, compassionate therapeutic relationship and using focused, evidence-informed methods to help people navigate change. Mary adapts interventions to fit each person rather than relying on fixed labels, believing that growth often emerges when challenges are met with thoughtful support and practical strategies. She integrates coaching perspectives when helpful to support goal setting and forward movement.
Mary’s clinical focus spans a broad range of issues, including addictions, relationship and intimacy difficulties, self-esteem and shame, bipolar disorder, anxiety and stress, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting and family concerns, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and LGBT-related issues. She also works with matters such as abandonment, adoption and foster care, attachment concerns, caregiver stress, codependency, commitment and control issues, domestic violence, substance-related problems, and coping with life changes and disasters.
Her training includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which she selects and tailors to each person’s needs and preferences.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Stress, AnxietyLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesDepressionCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDParanoiaPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Imago Relationship Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Mary Messerschmidt have?
Mary Messerschmidt has 25 years of experience.
Is Mary Messerschmidt a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: VA LCSW 0904004851.
In which languages does Mary Messerschmidt provide therapy?
Mary Messerschmidt provides therapy in English.
Where is Mary Messerschmidt located?
Mary Messerschmidt is located in Virginia.
How can I work with Mary Messerschmidt as my therapist?
You can work with Mary Messerschmidt through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Mary Messerschmidt work with international clients?
No. Mary Messerschmidt does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Mary Messerschmidt 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, please click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just 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 draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy to guide her work with clients. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify personal values and commit to meaningful actions while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings - it can be useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on understanding how early relationships shape current patterns in intimacy and trust and is often helpful for relationship difficulties, abandonment concerns, and attachment issues. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes respect, empathy, and collaboration, creating a supportive space where individuals can explore identity, self-esteem, and personal goals.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Mary works with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies over time as circumstances and priorities change. This collaborative stance helps tailor care to what actually works for the individual.
Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and access licensed professionals from different locations. The focus remains on practical, evidence-informed support that suits the client’s life and learning style.
Ready to start therapy with Mary Messerschmidt?
Take the first step toward a better you.