Mary Bufford, LCSW

Licensed in Tennessee · 13 years in practice

Mary Bufford meets people where they are and helps them move toward clearer thinking and steadier days.

License and registration

LCSW, Tennessee: 7530 · expires April 2026
NPI: 1336875038 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 13
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.

About Mary

Mary Bufford meets people where they are and helps them move toward clearer thinking and steadier days. She focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression. Mary speaks plainly and keeps sessions practical so parents and busy adults can use what they learn right away.

Mary is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW who has worked in Tennessee for 13 years. She treats each person as the expert on their own life and builds on the strengths they already have.

Background and approach

Sessions center on setting small, achievable steps and practicing skills between meetings. Her style is warm and direct. Mary helps clients name the patterns that get in the way and then tries different tools until something feels useful.

She encourages realistic goals and tracks progress in simple ways so change feels doable instead of overwhelming. In early sessions she listens to what matters most and creates a plan that fits everyday life. That plan may include strategies for managing stress, improving communication, or coping with memories of past hurt.

Mary checks in often to adjust the plan as needed. She understands beginning therapy can take courage and aims to make the process straightforward. People who want clear steps and steady support often find this approach helpful.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Mary lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Online support

Approaches that guide online sessions

Mary uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change and coping skills. One common approach emphasizes building coping strategies for anxiety and stress, teaching breathing, grounding, and step-by-step behavior changes to reduce worry and improve daily functioning. Another common focus targets trauma and its effects by helping people process difficult memories at a pace that feels manageable and teaching ways to lessen distressing reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Mary listens to each person's goals and preferences and then suggests methods that match those needs. She checks in regularly and adjusts the plan as progress is made or as circumstances shift, so the work stays collaborative and goal-oriented.

Online therapy with Mary is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video lets people use visual connection for deeper conversation, while phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging are useful for quick check-ins, short coaching between sessions, or when typing feels more comfortable. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and different daily routines.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does Mary help with?

Mary works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem struggles, and depression.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her approach is practical and strengths-focused, emphasizing small steps and skills people can use between sessions.

How much experience does she have?

She has 13 years of professional work experience supporting people with mood, stress, and relationship concerns.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW licensed in Tennessee and practices from that state.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Clients can meet by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How does cost work for therapy sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.

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