A Little About Me…

Hi, I’m Mary McAllen and I’m so glad you’re here. 

As a therapist, I aim to instill in my clients a sense of hope. I understand what it’s like to battle sadness, worry, loss, and feel daunted by the future. I therefore approach my work from a place of empathy so that my clients can heal and look ahead with optimism. 

My Journey To Becoming A Therapist 

I arrived at this career a little later in life after raising my children and working for many years in customer service. Doing that work, I interacted with so many people from all walks of life and learned a lot about the value of empathetic listening. Through these encounters, I began to develop a deeper understanding of the human experience and all of the many layers we contain as individuals. 

When I decided to embark on a career change and go back to school, I became inspired to pursue a degree in psychology. I graduated with a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. 

Throughout my coursework, I gained a deeper awareness of my own history and realized that certain healthy skills and behaviors had not been modeled to me. This knowledge allowed me to comprehend relationship dynamics, emotional distress, and trauma in a new and more foundational way that I could apply to my practice. 

These skills were put to the test upon losing several close family members within a six-year timespan. During this time, I relied heavily on my spirituality and capacity for hope, applying valuable coping skills along the way. 

Between the challenges I observe in my clients’ lives and my own experiences, I have developed a sense of compassion that allows me to be a more effective therapist. An ability to relate helps my clients feel safe and comfortable in session, and I approach the counseling environment with serenity and calmness. 

How EMDR Informs My Practice

Early on in my practice, I realized that talk therapy alone was not allowing my clients to heal as quickly as they could. So, I began researching alternative methods for targeting trauma and distress, ultimately discovering the power of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). 

As I started to use EMDR in my practice, I witnessed my clients develop increased self-awareness and healing. They were able to identify negative self-beliefs more readily and feel less bogged down by the trauma that kept them stuck in unhealthy cycles.

Because EMDR frees individuals from the pain and trauma of past experiences, I find that my clients are better able to look ahead to the future with hope and confidence. And working together, we will establish meaningful and attainable goals that can ultimately reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and internalized distress. 

Healing Is Possible

I’ve found that through difficult experiences, nature has always offered peace and connection. Therefore, I spend a lot of time outside, walking, reflecting, and taking in the scenery. 

Through this connection, my lived experiences, and training in psychology, I offer a dynamic perspective that my clients find soothing and relatable. I look forward to hearing from you and beginning this healing journey together.

Mary McAllen is a licensed therapist (LMFT) servicing clients in California (license number LMFT 77153) and Arizona (license number LMFT 15638). She received a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from the University of Phoenix in 2004 before achieving a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of La Verne in 2008.

Rates:

$150 per 55 minute session

Payment:

Major credit cards and Health Savings Accounts are accepted

Insurance:

No insurance is processed through Mary McAllen Therapy. You may request a Super Bill at the time of service to submit directly to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please check with your insurance company to see if you have any “out-of-network benefits” for therapy.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancelling a session is easy. Simply leave a voice message at 480.573.6132 or email me at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance, or not showing for a scheduled appointment, will result in a full session charge.