Profile / United States
Mary Blankenburg, LISW
Iowa
LISW in Iowa - Anxiety and Trauma
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Attachment-based work
About Mary
Mary Blankenburg is an Iowa-licensed independent social worker (LISW) with 35 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy-related issues, and a range of other concerns such as ADHD and addiction. Mary focuses on practical, observable changes in thinking and behavior to reduce distress and improve daily functioning.
She began in community mental health and adolescent services, and has maintained a private practice for many years. Her background includes individual, couples, family, and group work across varied settings. That range shaped a preference for clear, skills-based approaches alongside attention to relational patterns and life circumstances.
Mary uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based methods, Client-Centered techniques, and elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She explains strategies, tries concrete exercises in session, and supports clients in applying them between sessions. Sessions often include attention to how the body and nervous system respond to stress, with simple movement or awareness practices when useful.
Her style is structured but personable. She helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and habits, practice new responses, and track what changes. The work addresses current problems and the relational patterns that keep them repeating.
Mary asks new clients to complete a short matching questionnaire to begin. She uses a subscription billing model that can be canceled at any time; confirm session formats and scheduling details before booking.
How Mary uses structured approaches in online work
Mary commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in sessions. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and changing behaviors through practical exercises and homework; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. ACT emphasizes clarifying values and taking committed actions despite difficult thoughts or feelings, which helps with stress, avoidance, and life changes.She also draws on attachment-based ideas to notice relationship patterns and how early relationships influence current responses. Attachment work looks at repeated ways of relating and helps people try different, more effective interaction habits in day-to-day life. Choosing which approach to emphasize is collaborative; the therapist and client decide together based on goals, comfort, and what shows measurable progress.
Confirm the specific session formats available before booking, as session types are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to schedule shorter check-ins, fit sessions into a workday, reduce travel time, and use video or audio to focus on practical skill practice. The therapist will discuss how to structure sessions so exercises and between-session work fit into a client's routine.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
Iowa
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, ADHD, addiction, and related problems listed in her profile.
How would she describe her therapeutic approach?
Her approach is practical and skills-focused, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside ACT, attachment-based ideas, client-centered techniques, and DBT elements to address thoughts, behaviors, and relationships.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 35 years of experience working in community mental health, adolescent services, and private practice.
What credential and location does she hold?
She is an Iowa LISW and practices in Iowa.
Which languages are used in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients.
How are sessions billed and what do they cost?
Costs vary by location; therapy uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Confirm exact fees during the matching process.
What are the first steps to begin?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule an initial session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.