We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mary Norman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mary below.

Mary, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

I am extremely lucky to have been drawn to the field of counseling from an early age. As a teen, I received some counseling services of my own for my once debilitating anxiety. I vividly remember the feeling of entering into my therapist’s cozy office space and beginning to feel understood in my struggle for the first time. I knew at that point I wanted to pursue a career in mental health to give others that same feeling. Thankfully, this passion persisted as I studied Psychology and later Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy at the University of Central Florida. Fast forward to now, I have my own online practice offering counseling and wellness services to my clients.

One of the biggest aids in launching my practice was interviewing colleagues that had already done it! I asked ALL the questions to my successful peers in the field about what it took to attain that success, what platforms they used, how they picked rates, insurance paneling, etc. They were the BOMB.COM in helping me out.

If I could go back, I might opt out of paying for certain therapist directory services. Pretty expensive with little ROI.

I would advise young professionals to do as much networking as you can. My colleagues are a powerhouse of incredible professionals and knowledge that I’ve met in undergrad, grad school, my mental health positions prior to private practice launch, conferences, workshops, etc.! Never pass an opportunity to connect and learn from another professional. This is a vast, complex, and ever growing field and we need one another!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am incredibly thankful that some of my main personal and professional interests work in tandem. I have been practicing yoga regularly for the past 10+ years for my own personal goals to improve my fitness and overall wellness. I am now a 200 HR trained yoga instructor and LOVE to integrate movement into my mental health therapy services when appropriate. In my online therapy practice, I specialize in individual and group counseling for treatment of anxiety disorders, self-esteem issues, trauma, and relational difficulties. I also offer online drop-in workshops on mental health topics such as mindfulness and improving self-esteem. I believe what sets me apart from other therapists is my diverse range of training in evidenced based treatments such as EMDR and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as my knowledge and passion for holistic wellness practices and aim to boost my client’s natural resources to cope (music, art, writing, movement, etc.).

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Here is a lesson that I had to unlearn- In college, I feel that narrative of doing ALL the things to build your resume and be successful was drilled into my mind- join every club related to your field, have an internship, have multiple jobs, be in leadership positions etc. Now, while these opportunities did build me up professionally, there was a line I crossed where these commitments negatively affected my own happiness and ability to manage stress since I had such limited free time. As a business owner in my 30s, I now know that there is a happy balance of committing to professional development opportunities I have the energy and mental space to, while politely declining commitments that would overexert me.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Yes! I would- I love what I do. Though, if I had to go back, I might have gone into marine biology or animal training. Specifically, would like to have a second life as a Dolphin Trainer- Dolphins are just so cool and intelligent!

Contact Info:

• Website: lightwithinwellness.org
• Instagram: light.within.wellness
• Facebook: lightwithinwellnessllc