Mary Ann Sokolowski
Executive Director of NCTP, Licensed Professional Counselor- Mental Health Service Provider
My career in mental health began over 20 years ago, when I started as a volunteer at a local crisis and suicide hotline while attending the College of Charleston. What began as a small volunteer commitment quickly became a calling, leading me to join the staff and spend five years working closely with individuals in crisis and those experiencing thoughts of suicide. Even during a brief detour into pharmaceutical sales, I found myself drawn back to the crisis line—taking overnight shifts and realizing that counseling had become my lifelong passion.
Over the years, I have gained experience providing individual, couples, group, and family counseling. I have also pursued post-master’s work in crisis and suicide prevention here in Nashville, supporting individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or grieving a loss to suicide. One of the most meaningful aspects of my career was facilitating a SAMHSA government grant, which provided vital follow-up services for individuals after hospitalization for suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.
Through all of these experiences, I have come to believe deeply in the importance of compassionate, individualized support and in the power of healing relationships. I’m honored to walk alongside my clients as they navigate life’s challenges and discover hope, resilience, and harmony.
I am trained to work with a wide range of mental health concerns, but my areas of specialty and passion include helping individuals navigate life transitions (midlife existential dread, anyone?), supporting young adults and college students (been there done that… happy to work through it and don’t want to go back), working with bipolar disorder, and addressing depression, anxiety, grief, shame, perfectionism, and attachment challenges. I have extensive experience working with trauma and dissociation, as well as supporting those impacted by suicidal thoughts, loss, or self-harming behaviors.
Parenting is another big part of my world—shaped, no doubt, by the daily adventures of raising three teenagers (yes, Irish triplets, and yes, we’re all surviving—so far!). My professional expertise, combined with my personal experiences in adoption, have fueled my passion for adoption, attachment, and family systems work.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me with my husband and our spicy crew, tackling “remodeling” or “fixing old house projects” (because who doesn’t want to work with drywall dust in their hair?), gardening, getting outside, and cooking (I gladly leave baking—with all its rules—to someone with more patience and a better sense of precision). Exercise remains my ongoing attempt at balance, and—let’s be honest—these days, reading for pleasure means scrolling for funny memes just as often as it means curling up with a good book.
This phase of life and career has brought many joys: creaking joints, desire for an evidence based research article, and the sincere belief that an 8:30 bedtime is a luxury. But, I wouldn’t trade it—and the lessons I’ve learned along the way—for anything.
Specialized Training
Attachment focused EMDR
Hypnotherapy
ARC model of Attachment
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Emotion Focused Therapy
Psychological Autopsy
ASIST Suicide Prevention
Brazelton's TouchPoints
Dialectic Behavior Therapy
Circle of Security Parenting and Attachment
Internal Family Systems
Education and Credentials
Bachelors of Arts in Biology | College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
Masters in Mental Health Counseling | Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN
Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider | LPC-MHSP License #3217 State of Tennessee
Contact Mary Ann
Email: maryann@nashvilletherapy.co
Rate: $240 per Clinical Hour
Call (615) 268-3344 or schedule online here to begin your journey to better emotional, mental and spiritual health.