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Mary Kay Zayani

Mary Kay Zayani, LCSW

Therapist in California

Calm, practical support for life changes

Continue with Mary

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25 years of experience listed

LCSW professional credentials

English languages

  • Strengths focused
  • Emotion regulation
  • Relationship work

About Mary

Mary Kay Zayani is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience. She offers calm, steady support for people facing anxiety, low self esteem, grief, relationship strain, or major life change. Her tone is warm and encouraging, and she focuses on helping clients find practical steps forward.

She uses a blend of approaches that aim to build on strengths and shift unhelpful thinking. Sessions often involve talking through current problems, identifying patterns tied to attachment and relationships, and practicing skills to manage strong emotions. Mary Kay describes her role as a nonjudgmental witness who listens, soothes, and helps people land on choices that feel right for them.

Her background includes a Master of Social Work in clinical counseling from Columbia University and licensure as an LCSW in New York and California. That training informs a mix of client-centered work and cognitive approaches aimed at changing core beliefs and behaviors.

In sessions she focuses on practical tasks like stabilizing emotions, learning self-soothing techniques, and testing new ways of communicating. She can talk through career questions, parenting struggles, intimacy and attachment concerns, and issues like addiction and body image. Clients often spend time building skill sets they can use outside sessions.

People who prefer a compassionate, steady guide benefit most from her style. If you want a therapist who listens closely and helps you try small changes, she may be a good match. To confirm session formats and times, please check current booking options before scheduling.

How her approaches translate to online work

Mary Kay uses attachment-based ideas and cognitive behavioral techniques that suit talking and practicing new behaviors remotely. Attachment-based work looks at how early relationships shape current patterns and helps people rebuild safer ways of relating. This approach can be useful for intimacy issues, communication problems, and feelings of abandonment.

Cognitive behavioral work focuses on noticing unhelpful thoughts and testing new ways of thinking and acting. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, low self esteem, and skills for coping with life changes. It usually involves short practical exercises and homework between sessions to reinforce new habits.

Finding the right approach happens together. The therapist will listen to your goals and try methods that fit your needs, adjusting over time if something doesn't feel helpful. The process is collaborative and paced to what you can manage.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow quicker check-ins when needed, and let people practice communication skills in everyday settings. Talk with the therapist about timing and session length to find an arrangement that suits your schedule and goals.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefCareer difficultiesCoaching

Also works with

AddictionsFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Credentials

California, New York

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she help with?

She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, career and parenting concerns, addictions, eating issues, ADHD, and coping with life changes.

What is her therapeutic style like?

She blends client-centered listening with cognitive and attachment-based work, aiming to soothe emotions, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and build practical skills.

How long has she practiced?

She brings 25 years of experience in counseling and mental health to her work with clients.

What credentials and region are listed?

She holds the LCSW credential and is licensed as an LCSW in California and New York, and practices from California.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are costs handled?

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

How do I begin working with her?

Use the continue button on this profile, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

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