- Years in practice
- 20
- Credentials
- LICSW
- Licensed in
- Alabama
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Family conflicts
- Focus
- Grief
About Mary
Mary Mcfarland-Norris is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing from Alabama. She has 20 years of experience helping adults ages 18 to 100 who are facing stress, anxiety, depression, and major life changes. Mary uses practical, down-to-earth conversation to help people feel heard and start making small changes that matter.
She draws on cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy to build a clear plan with each person.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on understanding what’s happening now, naming patterns that get in the way, and practising skills that reduce distress. The tone is calm, empathetic, and nonjudgmental. Mary also addresses concerns such as grief, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating and sleeping problems, anger, self-esteem, career worries, bipolar mood concerns, and coping with life transitions.
Additional focus areas include first responder issues, hospice and end-of-life counseling, veteran and armed forces issues, and multicultural concerns. Parents seeking support around parenting challenges may find her approach useful. Her method begins with building trust and listening closely before offering direction.
Early sessions include questions about feelings and patterns so she can help set realistic, client-led goals. Progress is tracked and goals are adjusted as needed. Mary offers therapy by video or phone and through live chat or text messaging for people across Alabama.
She aims to help clients develop skills that improve daily life and foster a more positive outlook.
What Mary works with
Everything Mary lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Mary helps people with.
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- First responder issues
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Multicultural concerns
Approaches Mary lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How her approaches translate to online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for stress, anxiety, and making life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and practicing new skills to change day-to-day reactions. CBT often helps with anxiety, depression, sleep, and eating concerns.Choosing the right approach is part of the work she does with each person. The therapist will listen to a client's goals and preferences, try methods that fit, and adjust the plan together. This collaborative process helps pick techniques that feel useful and manageable for the client's life.
Online therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, giving flexibility in how people connect. Video sessions let the therapist and client interact face-to-face for deeper conversation. Phone sessions are helpful when bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging can be used for brief updates, quick skill practice, or ongoing support between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and to continue work over time.
Questions people ask about Mary
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with adults on issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy concerns, eating and sleeping problems, anger, self-esteem, career questions, bipolar mood issues, and coping with life changes. First responder, hospice, veteran, and multicultural concerns are also listed as focus areas.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is calm, empathetic, and personable. She listens first, builds trust, and uses practical conversations to set realistic, client-led goals.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of clinical experience working with adults on a range of emotional and life-change issues.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, LICSW, licensed in Alabama. Her practice is based in Alabama.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as formats for online therapy.
How does pricing work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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