Mary Hale (she/her)

In my former role as a hospice social worker, I cared for many patients with Dementia and Alzheimer's and worked closely with their families and caregivers. I learned more than the technical progression of this neurological disease, I practiced compassion as these stages and changes impacted patients, their behavior, and those around them.

In my master's degree, I learned the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and have implemented CBT tools and exercises in my work with clients with anxiety with great success. I also studied the effectiveness of Mindfulness techniques in my graduate work, which has benefited many clients and myself. The mind-body connection is so important, I completed the Somatic Trauma Certification by Dr. Abi Blakeslee to assist with regulating the nervous system and shifting out of unwanted cycles.

The Gottman Institute has become the gold standard for what healthy, long-term relationships look like and teaches clinicians how to assist couples in relating better, which is why I completed Level 1 of the Gottman's trainings. I am sex-positive and kink-friendly, incorporating my knowledge from lived experience and community learning opportunities to the realm of couples, dynamics, and nontraditional relationship structures like ENM.

In order to apply the research and benefit individuals in relationships and couples, I have completed the level one course by the Gottman Institute and have begun the level two course. I stay up-to-date and engaged in the work published by the Gottman Institute.

To help clients move out of stuck nervous system patterns from trauma, to help them identify their balanced core, and have more flexible responses to stress or overwhelm, I have focused on learning Somatic work. I first studied somatic work by reading books. Then, I completed Dr. Abi Blakeslee’s Somatic Trauma Healing Certification, a rigorous set of three courses for over 20 hours of training.