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Welcome to maryann dexter lmsw

Hello, welcome to my site. I’m a licensed clinical social worker. Currently practicing therapy online helping residents of Utah, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

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Years of Experience

“I believe that a different therapy must be constructed for each patient because each has a unique story.”

Irvin D. Yalom

Years of Experience

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About Maryann dexter, lmsw

I have a true passion for helping individuals achieve relief and reach their goals through personal growth. With my experience in the field, I’ve successfully guided people through trying times using insight and direction, while providing an impartial ear when needed. You don’t have to stay stuck in your current negative situation – lasting change is possible.

Before becoming a therapist, I worked in the medical field for many years. As a medical assistant, I worked with many different physicians on their teams, from neurology to surgery and family practice. My experience in healthcare continues to serve me well today in my mental health role.

I have been a licensed social worker since 2018 and can presently offer my services online to clients in Michigan, Utah and Pennsylvania. I graduated from Rutgers University with a Master’s of Social Work and subsequently completed a 3,000-hour clinical internship at a local community mental health center. Previous experience includes work in the school system, crisis agency volunteering, and at small group practices.

  • Nonjudgemental
  • Patient
  • Respectful
  • Compassionate & Caring
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Anxiety

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Depression

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Life Transitions

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Trauma

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Abuse

netwons-cradle

Aging Concerns

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Divorce

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Job Stress

maryann-dexter

As a therapist, I prioritize creating a supportive and understanding atmosphere for my clients. I am a real person that does not believe therapy needs to be a stuffy, clinical, and generic experience. I aim to make sessions feel safe, valuable, and judgment-free; to accomplish this, I give it my all to be genuine with each person. Will sessions feel awkward or uncomfortable sometimes? They sure will, but sometimes there needs to be some unpleasantness to get through the tough stuff. My goal always remains the same, to provide the best experience possible for every client.

process

I practice from a person-centered perspective, which means that I view the therapist-client relationship as a partnership. I believe that the client is the expert on their own life, and my job is to help them harness their strengths and resources to make changes. I also pull resources from Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy (ACT) and sometimes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), with a bit of Motivational Interviewing (MI) thrown in. These are all evidence-based approaches that have been shown to be effective in treating a variety of mental health concerns. If you have any questions about treatment modalities, please don’t be afraid to ask!

my objective

I strive to provide a calming, supportive environment for my clients. I am committed to being non-judgmental and respectful of my client’s stories as they work through their healing journey. Everyone is unique and deserves respect and compassion throughout the process. I am truly honored to be chosen as a partner in this journey of transformation.

Hours Available for Therapy Sessions

sessions typically last 60 minutes

Monday

09:00 AM – 8:00PM

Tuesday

09:00 AM – 8:00PM

Wednesday

09:00AM – 5:30PM

Thursday

09:00AM – 8:00PM

Every other Sunday

09:00AM – 3:00PM

Phone

+1 (989) 341-3114

Email

therapy@maryannmsw.com

WHY IS CONSULTATION IMPORTANT?

We can find out some specifics like time compatibility, confirm that my service area matches your location, and to make sure I accept your insurance plan. Most importantly, I want therapy to be a good experience for you and I do not want you to waste your time if you don’t feel like we will be a good fit. The therapeutic relationship is important, the success of therapy really depends on it! So, if you can’t see yourself opening up to me, I might not be the best therapist for you.

And, if we are being honest here, therapy can be expensive, especially when insurance doesn’t cover it. A consultation will give you time to decide if I am the right fit before making a financial commitment. In fact, I want you to take your time and find a therapist you feel really positive about working with and if that isn’t me that is okay.

CONTINUE

I hope you fall in love with living your life,
with feeling alive, and everything
in between.” -V.J. Markham

Therapy on Your Terms

FAQs

Here you will find answers to some basic questions about myself and therapy in general. If you don’t see the answer you’re looking for please reach out! You can call me, send an email, fill out the contact form, or text me to ask.

Contact

Clinically licensed social workers are professionals trained to provide mental health services and are equipped to provide various services like identifying, analyzing, and reducing mental health issues. The title of licensing may vary, depending on the state guidelines (LCSW, LICSW or LMSW-C). These practitioners all have a master’s degree in the field and specialize in helping individuals work through hardships and maintain optimal wellbeing.

Therapy can be beneficial for people who are grappling with psychological issues, stress, depression, and anxiety. It can also provide guidance when life transitions occur, such as changing jobs, moving, or going through a divorce. But therapy is not limited to these kinds of situations – many choose to explore self-growth and development with the assistance of a therapist. With their professional insights and support, psychotherapists can offer strategies to navigate the challenges that life presents. From grief to managing depressive episodes or everyday stressors, therapy offers an opportunity for individuals to better understand themselves and work towards meaningful change. Don’t wait – start your journey today!

Psychotherapy is an individualized process tailored towards each client’s unique needs and goals. During sessions, clients discuss their concerns and therapists offer added insight and may advise of strategies for enacting change. Sessions usually last fifty to sixty minutes and many people choose to make regular weekly or biweekly appointments.

In addition, therapists may ask clients to take actions outside of the therapy session. This could include reading up on topics addressed, completing an activity, or keeping track of specific behaviors. Active participation during and between sessions mean that clients should actively implement what they have learned and seek out ongoing personal growth. People who are strongly motivated to achieve positive change are more likely to have an effective outcome.

Things you can expect to learn in therapy:

Self-compassion, respect and understanding.

Perspectives to illuminate negative patterns & feelings.

Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance

Gaining insight into yourself, your objectives, and your values.

Adapting new approaches for managing pressure and tension.

Enhancing communications and listening capacities.

Developing alternative problem-solving techniques.

Strengthening self-esteem.

 

To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:
What are my mental health benefits?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?

This is hard to say as the cost per session depends on your insurance plan and if I am considered in or out of network. Additionally, deductibles and copays can vary greatly from plan to plan.

Yes! In-person sessions are available in Bad Axe, MI. Please contact me for additional details.

Yes, but on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me for a consultation. 

When considering treatment for mental health issues, medication and psychotherapy can often be an effective combination. Together with your primary care doctor, you can decide which option is best for you. This could mean starting a medication, GeneSight testing, or a referral to a psychiatrist.

Simply using medication, in the long run, will not necessarily resolve any underlying issues causing distress, or prevent unhealthy behaviors from recurring. By combining pharmacology and counseling, a holistic approach to wellness can be achieved; one that is far more likely to bring about lasting wellbeing.

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.

If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.

If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

Absolutely. I offer both telephone counseling and video counseling sessions using Zoom and Google Meet.  

Not currently.

Not at this time.

Person-centered therapy is a non-authoritative approach to therapy. In a person-centered session the client takes the lead, and the therapist is more of a guide that shows support and compassion but will offer insight when appropriate. This type of therapy allows for client to discover their own solutions.

In a person-centered therapy session, the therapist will be a compassionate facilitator that listens without passing judgment. The client’s past experiences will be acknowledged and respected. The client will experience encouragement and support during the therapeutic process of self-discovery.

Person centered therapy was developed by psychologist Carl Rogers in the 1940s. Rogers believed that everyone has the capacity to fulfill their own potential. He also believed that all people are unique and have their own view on the world. Rogers felt that clients have the power to come up with their own solutions, he essentially put the power of change back into the hands of the client when other approaches treated the therapist as the all-knowing expert.

No I am not. 

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Anxiety

Do you struggle with anxiety? If you do you are not alone. Millions of people around the world live with anxiety or have at some point in their lives.

Symptoms of anxiety can include worry, feeling nervous or on edge, having trouble relaxing or remaining still, irritability, racing thoughts, or feeling afraid. Sometimes anxiety can show up in your body. You might feel dizzy, get sweaty, have a fast heart rate, your stomach may get upset, you may get tense muscles or become shaky. These are just some of the ways anxiety might show up.

Living with anxiety can be difficult, but you don't have to go through it alone. Therapy can help you understand why you experience anxiety and give you the skills necessary to manage it. During therapy sessions, you'll be taught techniques to recognize patterns of anxious thoughts and where they may come from, learn relaxation methods, develop problem-solving strategies, and adopt healthy coping skills.

Depression

Depression is more than just feeling sad. It’s a serious condition that can take a toll on your well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depression affects more than 26 percent of adults in the United States.

Symptoms of depression might include feeling sad, empty, or hopeless, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, loss of energy or increased fatigue, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, changes in appetite or weight, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, restlessness, or irritability, feeling worthless or guilty, and thoughts of death or suicide.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, therapy can be an effective treatment that will teach you coping techniques and problem-solving skills. With the help of a therapist, you could begin to understand the behaviors, emotions, and thoughts that contribute to your depression.

Life Transitions

Life transitions can be tough, but most people will experience some sort of life transition at some point in their lives. These can be big changes, like getting married, becoming a parent, grieving a loss, or going through a divorce. Smaller changes can also be challenging, like starting a new job, graduating college, or moving to a new house. Suddenly, you're plunged into the unknown and everything feels scary and unfamiliar. It can be tempting to just curl up in a ball and wait for it all to blow over. But eventually, you must face the world again.

Therapy can be a great help during this stressful time. A therapist can provide a sounding board for your fears and concerns and help you to develop a plan to cope with changes. Therapy can also help you to build up your resilience, so that you're better equipped to deal with future transitions.

Although some life transitions are happy and exciting, others can be more difficult to deal with. If you're finding it hard to cope with a life transition, therapy can be a great way to help you through it. Don't suffer in silence. Reach out for help.

Trauma

Trauma comes in many forms and can have a lasting impact on a person's mental and emotional state. Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event can leave a person feeling devastated, isolated, and unsafe. If these feelings are not resolved over time, emotions, thoughts, and feelings related to the trauma can become overwhelming.

Thankfully, there are effective treatments for coping with trauma. Therapy can help a person work through the difficult feelings associated with trauma and help them to develop a more positive view of the world and themselves. Through therapy, a person can learn to cope with their trauma in a healthy way and start to experience joy again.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, therapy can be an effective treatment that will teach you coping techniques and problem-solving skills. With the help of a therapist, you could begin to understand the behaviors, emotions, and thoughts that contribute to your depression.

Abuse

While abuse can have many different forms, it always involves some form of power and control. The abuser may use physical violence, threats, or coercion to gain power over their victim. They may also use emotional manipulation or isolate their victim from friends and family.

Abuse is different than trauma in that it is typically repeated or habitual, whereas trauma is usually a one-time event. This repeated exposure to abuse can have a significant impact on a person's mental and emotional health, and it can be difficult to break free from the cycle of abuse without help.

Therapy can be an effective treatment for abuse, providing a safe space for victims to process their experiences and begin to heal the psychological wounds that have been inflicted. In therapy, victims of abuse can learn how to build healthier relationships, set boundaries, and ultimately move on from the pain of their past.

Aging Concerns

Aging concerns can make some people feel worried and sad. They may experience stress about aging-related issues such as one's own mortality or mortality of those around them, changing appearance, their role in the world, declining health, and a loss of independence.

These concerns are very common, and although they can develop at any age, they are more likely to occur in older adults. Aging concerns can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. They can lead to social isolation, depression, and anxiety. Therapy can help people manage their anxiety, stress, and depression, improve their social skills and learn coping strategies; all of which can improve a person’s outlook on life.

Divorce

Divorce is one of the hardest things anyone can go through in their lifetime. It is an emotionally draining process that can be difficult to navigate without support.

Many people who are divorcing find themselves struggling with intense feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, and loneliness. While it is normal to experience these emotions during and after a divorce, they can be so overwhelming that they make it difficult to move on with your life.

If you are struggling to cope with your emotions and get back to a sense of normalcy, therapy can help. Through therapy, you can learn healthy ways to cope with your emotions, work through the issues that led to your divorce, and develop a plan for moving forward. You can also gain valuable insight into yourself and your relationships. With the help therapy, you can begin to heal the wounds of your divorce and start to build a new life for yourself.

Job Stress

Job stress can come from a variety of sources. It might be the result of long hours, unrealistic expectations, coworkers, a difficult boss, or a high-pressure work environment. Whatever the cause, therapy can help you identify the source of your stress and find healthy ways to cope with it.

Therapy can help you develop coping mechanisms for dealing with stress in the moment. This might include deep breathing or grounding exercises. These techniques can help you reduce your stress levels in the short term and make it easier to manage your stress in the long term.

If you're struggling to cope with job stress, therapy is a safe and confidential space to explore the source of your stress and find healthy ways to deal with it.