- Client-centered
- CBT methods
- Motivational interviewing
About Mary
Mary Dowdle is an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) practicing in Hawaii with 13 years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship concerns, low self-esteem, depression, and issues like grief, sleep problems, anger, bipolar challenges, and ADHD. She also attends to codependency, substance use, guilt and shame, post-traumatic stress, and self-love concerns.
Mary uses straightforward conversation to help people name what feels heavy and decide what matters most next. Sessions focus on helping clients notice patterns of thought and behavior, build motivation for change, and practice different ways of responding. She blends cognitive-behavioral tools with a client-centered stance to keep discussions focused and practical.
Her work prioritizes respect and sensitivity. Conversations are interactive, and she adapts session pacing to each person’s needs. Mary aims to make space for honest talk about hard topics such as past mistakes, moral pain, or ongoing regrets without judgment.
In practice she often helps clients break down big problems into small steps. That can mean setting short-term goals, trying behavioral experiments between sessions, or using motivational interviewing techniques to strengthen commitment to change. These elements are used alongside gentle reflection on values and identity.
Mary’s approach tends to be direct and relational. She listens for what someone wants to change and then outlines practical options to get started. People who bring guilt or shame, or who struggle with substance use or mood concerns, will find an approach oriented toward real choices and steady progress.
How her approaches shape online sessions
Mary commonly draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing. Client-centered therapy centers conversation on what the client brings, offering reflective listening and open-ended questions to clarify values and concerns. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes to shift mood and day-to-day functioning. Motivational interviewing helps people weigh ambivalence and build motivation when change feels difficult or when substance use is involved.Choosing which approach to use is a collaborative process. Mary will listen to your goals and preferences and then suggest methods that fit those goals. She invites discussion about what feels most useful and adjusts the plan as you discover what works in practice.
Practical benefits of online work include easier scheduling and the ability to fit sessions into busy days. Online sessions can reduce travel time, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and make it simpler to keep continuity of care during life changes. The specific session formats Mary offers are not detailed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking to ensure they meet your needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Hawaii
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, self-esteem, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep problems, anger, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and ADHD. Additional focuses include codependency, drug and alcohol addiction, guilt and shame, post-traumatic stress, and self-love.
How would she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
She uses a mix of client-centered conversation and cognitive-behavioral tools to name the feelings and track the thoughts that keep them alive. Motivational interviewing can help when guilt or shame are tied to behavior change or substance use.
How much experience does she have?
Mary has 13 years of professional experience working with adults on mood, addiction, and stress-related concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMHC licensed in Hawaii and practices from that state.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
Session formats are not specified in the listed biography. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.