Mary Mcfarland-Norris, LICSW

Mary Mcfarland-Norris is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Alabama with 20 years of experience. She offers therapy to adults and focuses on stress and anxiety, helping people who are dealing with life transitions and difficult emotions. Her manner is calm, empathetic, and personable, and she makes space for open conversation without judgement.

Mary commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy, which looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps people notice painful feelings while moving toward what matters to them. These approaches guide practical steps rather than relying on jargon.

Sessions begin with listening and building trust. In the first meeting she asks questions to understand feelings and the situation, then works collaboratively to set clear, manageable goals. Progress is tracked over time so people can see what’s changing and what still needs attention.

Mary has worked with adults across a wide range of concerns, including grief, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, sleep and eating problems, anger, low self-esteem, career stress, bipolar and depression, and compassion fatigue. She also brings experience supporting first responders, hospice and end-of-life counseling, veterans and multicultural concerns.

Her approach adjusts to each person’s needs. She listens first, avoids assumptions, and helps clients choose concrete steps that fit their life. The aim is steady improvement and a clearer sense of what feels right going forward.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Mary often draws on cognitive behavioral therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in her work. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying thoughts and behaviors that contribute to stress and anxiety and then testing small, practical changes to reduce their impact. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice difficult feelings without getting stuck, and to take actions that reflect their values despite discomfort.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Mary works together with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. She listens to the person's concerns, outlines possible ways to proceed, and adjusts plans based on what works in real life.

Session options are not detailed in the biography, so confirm current formats before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, allow check-ins without travel, and support consistent progress through shorter or regular scheduled sessions. Some approaches lend themselves to exercises or worksheets that translate well to remote sessions, which can help with anxiety, stress management, and developing coping skills.