Mary Brinkmeyer, Ph.D.

I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of training and experience working mainly with adults in individual psychotherapy, and also young children (2-7) and their families. I have worked extensively with people who are dealing with depression and anxiety, as well life-transitions, and conflicts in their families and at work. I have intensive training and experience helping those with trauma, including those who have survived child abuse and neglect, sexual assault, combat-related trauma, and moral injury. Given my extensive work with Veterans and on an orthopedic/spinal service, I also have much experience addressing chronic pain, and helping those in pain find fulfillment, increased functioning so that they live fuller, more meaningful lives despite their pain.

For the past decade, I’ve also specialized in LGBTQ+-affirming care. My work included being part of the US Navy’s Transgender Care Team; training, designing and supervising other clinicians in LGBTQ+-affirming care, and serving as the LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator at a southern VA hospital.  I am committed to creating safe spaces to explore identity and sexuality wherever you may fall on the gender-sexuality spectrum.  I am sex-positive, kink-positive, and poly-affirming in psychotherapy.

As a psychotherapist, I know that true change starts with forming a trusting relationship. I create a warm, respectful, and engaging space where you can feel heard and understood. I bring compassion, openness, and humor, as I get to know you as an individual, both your strengths and challenges, sorrow and joys. We may work together to identify thoughts and behaviors that hold your back (knowing that these may have also  helped you to survive past trauma); we work toward change without judgement. We may also work to challenge internalized messages destructive to your sense of power, integrity, value, worth and potential.  Whether these came from important people of your past, or institutions meant to keep you down, we will ferret out and dispute these internalized messages. 

My approach above all is based in compassion and understanding within the humanistic tradition - and is also evidence-based, incorporating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and trauma-focused interventions like Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure. When working with families who are struggling to parent young children I rely on Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a therapy I have used in much of my career. Whether we are working on insight, practical strategies and solutions, skill building, value clarification, or mindfulness techniques, we will do so collaboratively. You set the pace for our work together.

Psychology has  allowed me to combine my love of learning with my passion for helping others and my commitment to social justice. I was inspired mostly by my grandfather, a staunch advocate in the battle for Civil Rights in this country. My career has included clinical care, teaching, leadership, and advocacy, and supporting military and veteran communities, including military families, and most recently standing up to discriminatory practices recently introduced at the VA. I earned my undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago and my Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Florida. I am continually learning in my work with those who come to me for help, and through advanced trainings, discussions with colleagues and keeping current with journals

I am here for you to explore what matters most to you in your mental health journey, and I am here to support your healing and growth in our work together.