Mary Denning, LCSW

Professional Bio

Life is too short to spend it at war with yourself. That belief is at the center of everything I do, and it’s part of why I keep encouraging people to try therapy even when they’re not sure it’s for them.

Hi, I’m Mary! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and my path through this field has been a wide one. I started my career working with geriatric clients, then spent years with adolescents and families at every level of the public education system, all while working in palliative and hospice settings. Different ages, different cultures, different diagnoses, and a lot of time spent with people facing the hardest moments of their lives. All of it shapes how I sit with clients now.

Here’s what our work together actually looks like. Early on, I mostly listen. You’ll have room to say things out loud that you might not have said anywhere else, without me steering you or rushing to fix anything, because I can’t help you until I really understand you. As that picture comes into focus, I start reflecting it back, and that’s often where clients begin to see themselves differently. From there we figure out what you actually want to be different in your life and name a few goals that feel reachable rather than aspirational. Then we get practical. I’ll teach you tools you can use between sessions, we’ll check in on what’s working and what isn’t, and we’ll adjust as we go. You’ll always know why we’re doing what we’re doing.

I’ve also been on your side of the room. I know what it’s like to be heard and supported and guided by someone, and I know how much that changed the way I saw my own situation. It’s a large part of why I do this work.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Mary Denning, LCSW