Being human is complicated.
We carry old stories, face new challenges, and sometimes lose sight of what we're capable of. You don't have to sort it all out alone.
Starting with your unique strengths
I believe each of us is resilient, with inherent strengths, wisdom, and the capacity to choose how we respond to our experiences and the world around us.
For more than 30 years, I've worked with children, teens, adults, and families. Here's what guides our work together:
Strengths first
We begin with what's already working: the strengths you bring through the door, even when they're hard to see.
Curiosity over judgment
We'll explore your thoughts, feelings, and the patterns that shape your life with openness, so you can understand yourself more clearly.
Growth through choice
You have the ability to choose how you respond to life. Together, we'll find what helps you grow and notice what holds you back.
Accountability as a strength
I see accountability as one of our greatest strengths. It isn't about blame or getting things perfect. It's about honestly recognizing our part in what happens, with compassion for ourselves. That honesty is freeing, because what we can own, we can change. Accountability turns "this keeps happening to me" into "here's what I can do differently."
What we can own, we can change.
Life brings all kinds of challenges
Some are expected, and some catch us off guard. Here are some of the things I help people with.
When emotions feel overwhelming
Worry that won't quiet down, low moods that linger, anger that feels hard to manage, or the lasting effects of painful or frightening experiences.
Growing up and finding yourself
Kids and teens who struggle with focus, organization, or behavior; learning and developmental differences; building self-esteem; and figuring out who you are and where you fit.
Navigating life and relationships
Grief and loss, big life transitions, adjusting to change, tension with the people you love, and the joys and challenges of parenting, of being parented, and of being part of a family system.
Specialties include: anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma & PTSD, anger management, ADHD & executive functioning, developmental disorders, identity development, self-esteem, behavioral issues, grief & loss, lifecycle transitions, adjustment disorders, relationship conflict, and parenting support.
Beyond therapy: I offer workshops, presentations, and community programs that help schools, parents, and organizations understand mental health and support the people in their care.
“Realistically, we need to make room for all our emotions. Our resilience comes from our challenges, so the negative is just as important as the positive.”
From my blog post “It All Belongs”
Support that fits your life
Individual Therapy
Sometimes we need a space that's just for us. Individual therapy is a chance to slow down and understand yourself more clearly: how you show up in the world, what's been weighing on you, and what you want to be different. Together, we'll build on the strengths that already serve you and let go of the patterns that no longer do.
Couples Therapy
Every relationship has its challenges. Couples therapy offers a supportive space to work through them side by side. We'll focus on how you talk to each other, handle conflict, restore trust, and reconnect. Over time, couples often find that old arguments lose their grip, replaced by more understanding, closeness, and respect.
Family Therapy
When a family is struggling, it's rarely about just one person. Family therapy looks at how everyone fits together and starts with what each person brings to the family. We'll work on listening to one another, setting healthy boundaries, easing conflict, and finding your way back to connection and support.
A little about me
I love what I do. For more than 30 years, I've been trusted with people's stories: the complicated and imperfect experiences that shape who we are and who we're becoming. Stories are how we begin to understand ourselves and each other, and I'm endlessly curious about them.
My training in family therapy grounds my practice. I see each person within the family and relationships that shape them, and I use a competency-based approach that focuses on the unique strengths of individuals and families. Together, we work toward a sense of mastery over what is challenging. Along the way, I hope to foster your intellectual and emotional curiosity, a greater self-awareness, and a clearer understanding of the thoughts and behaviors that support personal growth and a more satisfying life.
What orients me, in my work and in my own life, is gratitude, grit, and connection. They help us persist when things get complicated, take the risks that make life more worthwhile, and recover when we're most vulnerable. And each of them can be developed in abundance.
Growth can be uncomfortable, and becoming our best selves is sometimes pretty difficult. But we always have the opportunity to grow. We're all in this together, trying to get it right, imperfectly but doggedly.
Mary Beth
Questions about therapy
Reaching out is often the hardest part. Here are answers to the questions people ask most. If yours isn't here, I'm always glad to talk.
How do I get started?
Just reach out by phone at 313.408.2180 or by email at mbgarvey@hotmail.com. I usually return calls within 24 hours.
We can begin with a free 15-minute phone consultation, where you can ask questions and get a sense of whether we're a good fit.
Every inquiry is kept completely confidential. You don't need to have the right words or know exactly what you want. We can figure that out together.
What happens in the first session?
Our first session is a chance to get to know each other. We'll talk about your "why": what brought you to therapy right now and the challenges you're facing. I'll ask about your personal and family history, and we'll begin to set some initial goals. Those goals are just a starting point, and they can change as we go.
We'll also go over the practical details, like office policies and scheduling.
You don't have to share everything, find exactly the right words for how you're feeling, or have clear answers to every question. We'll go at a pace that feels right for you.
The first session is also your chance to see whether I'm the right fit. That comes down to whether you feel safe, heard, and respected.
How long are sessions, and how often will we meet?
Sessions are 45 minutes and usually happen once a week. In our first meeting, we'll talk about the rhythm that feels right for you.
How long does therapy take?
That depends on what you'd like from our work together. Some people come for focused support with a particular challenge. Others want to understand and change deeper, long-standing patterns, which takes more time. Your goals guide the pace, and we'll check in along the way.
What does therapy cost?
The fee is $175 per session, paid at the time of your appointment. I accept cash, check, or Venmo.
Do you take insurance?
I'm not in-network with insurance plans, but many plans reimburse part of the cost of seeing an out-of-network therapist. I'm happy to give you a detailed monthly statement you can submit to your insurance company.
If you're not sure what your plan covers, it can help to call your insurance company and ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits.
How do I know if you're the right therapist for me?
Feeling safe and comfortable with your therapist matters more than almost anything else. A strong relationship, built on trust and real connection, is the foundation everything else rests on.
In our first few sessions, I'll get to know you and your life, and you'll get a sense of how I work. Together, we'll decide whether we're a good fit. If you have questions before you schedule, please ask. I'm happy to talk.
Taking the first step is enough
If you're wondering whether therapy might help, I'd be glad to talk. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation: a chance to ask questions and see whether we're a good fit before you commit to anything.