Mary Mcfarland-Norris , LICSW

Mary Mcfarland-Norris is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Alabama who provides telehealth services statewide. With 20 years of experience, she works with adults ages 18 to 100 and focuses on helping people manage anxiety, stress, depression, and life transitions. Her practice also addresses relationship and family concerns, grief, trauma and abuse, intimacy issues, eating and sleeping difficulties, parenting challenges, anger and self-esteem, career questions, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue, along with specialized attention to first responder issues, hospice and end-of-life counseling, veteran and armed forces matters, and multicultural concerns.

Mary most often integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in her work, blending practical skill-building with values-based strategies to support meaningful change. She adapts her approach to each person, listening first to build a shared understanding and then collaborating on achievable goals. Her communication style is calm, empathetic, and personable, and she emphasizes tracking progress so clients can see how they are moving forward.

In an initial session Mary focuses on understanding a client’s feelings and life context by asking questions and establishing a trusting connection. She guides clients through goal setting at a pace that feels comfortable, encouraging development of skills that foster greater resilience and a more positive outlook on life. Mary accepts new clients and offers sessions by video, phone, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Therapeutic Approaches for Flexible Online Support

Mary uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors; CBT often includes practical exercises and coping skills that can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) encourages clients to notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting ruled by them, then to clarify personal values and take committed action toward a meaningful life - an approach that can be helpful for managing distress and life transitions. She also draws on client-centered principles, providing a respectful, nonjudgmental listening space that helps people feel heard and involved in their own care.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Mary collaborates with each client to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She emphasizes shared decision making so that therapy is tailored and responsive rather than one-size-fits-all.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which offer flexibility for busy schedules, accessibility for those across Alabama, and multiple ways to engage depending on comfort and needs. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care while working together on concrete goals and personal growth.