Mary Messerschmidt, LCSW

Virginia LCSW specializing in relationships and trauma

Addictions and recovery
Relationship and intimacy
Trauma and grief

About Mary Messerschmidt

Mary Messerschmidt is a Virginia-based therapist with 25 years of clinical experience who brings a compassionate, strengths-based approach to working with individuals and families. As an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - she blends traditional therapeutic methods with life coaching techniques to support clients navigating change, loss, addiction, relationship challenges, mood disorders, and stress-related concerns. Her practice emphasizes an authentic, respectful therapeutic relationship and the use of tailored, evidence-informed interventions to help people turn difficult circumstances into opportunities for growth.

Mary approaches each person as an evolving individual rather than a label, offering care that honors personal history and cultural context. Her work covers a broad range of concerns including addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, self-esteem struggles, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting and family dynamics, LGBT concerns, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and career or life transition challenges. She also addresses focused areas such as abandonment, adoption and foster care issues, attachment difficulties, caregiver stress, codependency, domestic violence, and substance use.

In addition to her therapy practice, Mary incorporates coaching strategies to support goal setting and practical change. She is not currently accepting new clients, and she continues to provide seasoned, person-centered support grounded in respect, compassion, and clinical experience.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

AddictionsRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemBipolar disorder

Also Specializes In

Stress, AnxietyLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesDepression Coping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional Focus Areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDParanoiaPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic Approach

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Imago Relationship Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Mary Messerschmidt have?

Mary Messerschmidt has 25 years of experience in clinical practice.

Is Mary Messerschmidt a licensed therapist?

Yes. She holds an LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: VA LCSW 0904004851.

In which languages does Mary Messerschmidt provide therapy?

Mary Messerschmidt provides therapy in English.

Where is Mary Messerschmidt located?

Mary Messerschmidt is located in Virginia.

How can I work with Mary Messerschmidt as my therapist?

You can work with Mary Messerschmidt through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Mary Messerschmidt work with international clients?

Mary Messerschmidt does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Mary Messerschmidt cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify their values and take committed steps toward a more meaningful life while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings. It is useful for stress, anxiety, depression, and coping with life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships influence current patterns - it explores attachment styles and helps people build more secure connections, which can be especially helpful for relationship and intimacy issues, adoption and foster care concerns, and childhood-related trauma. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) addresses unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns by teaching practical skills to manage symptoms and solve problems, making it well suited for anxiety, depression, bipolar mood management, and many stress-related challenges.

Mary approaches choosing techniques as a collaborative process - she works with each person to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. That teamwork helps ensure therapy aligns with what matters most to the client.

Online therapy offers flexibility by allowing sessions through video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and access licensed professionals from different locations, all while supporting ongoing therapeutic work and skill practice between conversations.

Ready to start therapy with Mary Messerschmidt?

Take the first step toward a better you.

Get Started