- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship problems
- Guilt and shame
About Mary
Mary Leonardo is a New York LCSW-R with 26 years of clinical experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, relationship strain, family concerns, trauma and abuse, and self-esteem issues, and she also supports people dealing with guilt and shame.
Mary spent long periods working in private practice, schools, and substance use treatment. She draws on decades of work with people across different life stages to help them address practical problems and painful feelings. Sessions focus on what matters most now and on steps that can make everyday life easier.
Her style is collaborative and strengths-based. She looks at each person in the context of their relationships and life events. Therapy is adjusted to the client's needs, using different evidence-based techniques depending on the issue and what feels useful day to day.
Mary works with concerns such as attachment issues, codependency, communication problems, grief and loss, divorce and separation, domestic violence, addiction, eating and food-related issues, cancer-related stress, postpartum depression, and loneliness. She also addresses forgiveness, guilt and shame when those feelings are part of what someone brings to sessions.
Her long experience includes more than 20 years as a school social worker and around 30 years in substance use treatment. That background informs how she sees relationship patterns and coping strategies, and how she helps people try different ways of managing stress and rebuilding connections.
To begin, she asks clients to identify practical goals and small, achievable steps. The focus is on clear, workable changes rather than abstract theory, and on finding approaches that fit the client's life.
How evidence-based techniques guide online sessions
Mary uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change. One approach addresses patterns in relationships and attachment by helping people spot repeated behaviors and try different responses. This can help with relationship stress, codependency, and recurring conflict.Another commonly used technique targets anxiety and stress by teaching straightforward skills for managing overwhelming thoughts and physical tension. These skills are aimed at day-to-day functioning and can be practiced between sessions to build small changes over time.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Mary will collaborate with each person to decide which techniques fit their goals, needs, and preferences. That usually starts with a short assessment and is reviewed as therapy progresses so methods can be adjusted together.
Practical benefits of online work include fitting sessions into a busy schedule and reducing travel time. Online sessions can make it easier to attend during a lunch break, between appointments, or when travel would be difficult. Because the original biography does not list specific session formats, confirm the available online options before booking so you know what will work best for your routine and needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
26+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, self-esteem issues, and related challenges such as addiction, grief, and life transitions.
How would she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
She uses a collaborative, strengths-based approach and draws on evidence-based techniques chosen to fit the person's situation and daily life.
What is her clinical background and experience?
She has 26 years of clinical experience, over 20 years as a school social worker, and extensive work in substance use treatment.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a New York LCSW-R and practices from New York.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she does not accept international clients.
What session formats are used?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with scheduling a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.