Mary Johnston

Mary Johnston is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Tennessee who focuses on helping people manage strong emotions and life stress. She uses straightforward talk and steady support to help clients sort out worry, anger, and substance use concerns. Her aim is to make therapy feel doable from the first visit.

Mary brings about 10 years of hands-on experience in different treatment settings. She has worked with adults and adolescents in both individual and group sessions, and she has experience helping people with family concerns. Much of her caseload has involved substance use, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.

In sessions she takes a nonjudgmental, empathetic stance and centers the person in front of her. She focuses on what matters most to each person and meets them where they are in life. That means starting with the most pressing problems and building practical steps forward.

Her approach combines Client-Centered Therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, and solution-focused work. She uses these methods to help people recognize unhelpful patterns, practice different responses, and set concrete short-term goals. Those steps help break cycles of shame, guilt, and avoidance.

Mary often works on stress, anger, relationship problems, parenting strain, and issues connected to addiction and trauma. She also supports people navigating ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, and questions about sexual orientation. The first few sessions focus on clear goals and a plan that fits daily life.

How Mary’s approaches translate to online support

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding the person’s view and responding with empathy and acceptance. It helps people feel heard and clarifies what they want from therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and teaches practical skills to change those patterns. Solution-Focused Therapy zeroes in on small, achievable changes and on building steps toward concrete goals.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Mary will discuss what matters to the client and try methods that match their goals and preferences. That conversation is collaborative and may shift as needs change.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, cut travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people work with a licensed professional while keeping therapy practical for everyday life.