Mary Cabarles, LCSW

Mary Cabarles is a California licensed clinical social worker with 18 years of experience. She focuses on helping people manage anxiety, stress, trauma, grief, relationship struggles, and challenges tied to identity and life transitions. Her tone is practical and direct, aimed at people who need steady support and clear tools.

Mary began working in social services early in college and has broad experience across community settings. Her background includes group homes, residential care, job coaching, and work with people facing homelessness, domestic violence, and criminal justice involvement. She has also supported people through medical and end-of-life situations.

In private practice she aims to give a listening ear and a straightforward plan. Sessions may include identifying thought patterns, building coping skills, and setting realistic steps to handle stress or addictive behaviors. She uses cognitive approaches to help people change unhelpful thinking and behavior.

Mary combines several therapeutic ideas to fit each person’s needs. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify values and commit to small, meaningful actions. Attachment-based work helps when past relationships shape current fears. She also brings client-centered skills, focusing on what matters to the individual in the room.

Her work often supports people coping with caregiving strain, career shifts, body image concerns, blended family dynamics, and first responder stress. Sessions are available by video, phone, chat, or messaging to fit different schedules.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Mary often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and change behavior with step-by-step exercises. This approach is useful for anxiety, stress, and patterns that keep returning.

She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify what matters to them and take small committed actions toward those values. That can be helpful for motivation, grief, and making life changes. Attachment-based ideas are used when relationship history affects current trust, connection, or emotional reactions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, try methods that suit their needs, and adjust plans over time. This happens collaboratively so the client helps shape which tools are tried and kept.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text messaging. Video allows face-to-face conversation and teaches skills with real-time feedback. Phone sessions are good when bandwidth is limited or a simpler check-in is needed. Live chat or text messaging can fit quick updates, shorter check-ins, or times when typing feels easier. These options make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into busy lives.