ABOUT
Meet Dr. Mary O'Leary
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (WA State License #PY60025556), and have more than 30 years of clinical training and experience from work in academic, research, and community mental health settings. I have become one of the most respected and sought after psychologists in the Northwest.
I am the mother of two grown daughters, and strive to balance my work life with a healthy lifestyle. I enjoy living on Bainbridge Island, spending time with my family and friends, and being active in the great Pacific Northwest.
My Approach to Therapy
My approach to therapy is collaborative and tailored to meet your goals. You are the expert of your own experience. I offer direction for how we might make meaning of your experiences and form new patterns of relating to yourself and others.
I use a holistic, bio-psycho-social approach to therapy:
Biological because your genetics and physical health affect your mental health. The quality of your sleep is particularly important.
Psychological because the ways you think, feel and behave are clearly related to problems such as depression, anxiety, past trauma, coping skills, and substance use.
Social relationships because they are so important to your overall well-being. Your attachment history matters and we will work together to give you the skills you need to have more secure and satisfying relationships - both at work and at home.
My Commitment
Throughout the process of therapy, I make a commitment to you to listen well and to lend you my hope, if yours is diminished by the problems you face. I believe that you, like all people, are inherently good - and that you can mobilize your values and shift your perspective to move towards a life that is well-balanced with a renewed sense of meaning.
I provide therapy that is affirming for all people. I have extensive training and experience working with multicultural perspectives and have a deep commitment to respecting the differences and dignity of all my clients.
My Background
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PhD in Clinical Psychology. Fielding Graduate University with Highest Honors, 2006.
MA in Clinical Psychology. Fielding Graduate University with Highest Honors, 2003.
MA in Counseling. Santa Clara University with Alpha Sigma Nu Honors, 1992.
MS in Nutrition. University of Minnesota, with Fellowship for Excellence in Academics and Research, 1979.
BA in Anthropology. University of Minnesota with Summa Cum Laude & Phi Beta Kappa Honors, 1975.
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Therapist in Private Practice
Past Board member . Bainbridge Island Psychotherapy Guild
Co-Lead. Bainbridge Prepares Psychological First Aid team
Adjunct Faculty Antioch University Seattle, Clinical supervision for doctoral students
Consultant to other licensed therapists
Trainer National Trainer in Motivational Interviewing. MI is the most researched and effective intervention for health behavior change.
Past psychological evaluations for mental health disability determination for the State of Washington and the US Department of Veteran's Affairs
Consultant for federally funded scientific research.
Prior to becoming a psychologist, Dr. O'Leary worked as a public health nutritionist and taught nutrition at the University of Washington.