About Me
Mary Ann Altenbernd. MS
I started my professional career working with special needs children in the elementary school setting for several years before deciding to pursue a career in nursing. I worked for 20 years in a children’s hospital. The last 5 years were spent working in Behavioral Medicine clinic counseling parents on behavioral and medication management issues of their children. My interest grew to specialize in counseling. While getting a Masters in Counseling Psychology I worked as a nurse in an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Some of my responsibilities included conducting therapy groups and counseling patients on an individual basis to resolve immediate issues. I worked on all the nursing units - child and adolescent, adult mood disorders, addictions, trauma and geriatrics.
My Master’s thesis in graduate school was on attachment theory. My internship was working with children who were challenged behaviorally. After graduate school I did an externship in play therapy at an inner city elementary school. Prior to establishing a private practice I worked at a domestic violence organization counseling women involved in abusive relationships on self esteem, boundaries, codependency and related issues to provide a safety net of prevention, education, and support. Also, I worked at two agencies providing counseling for a minimal fee to women, children, couples and seniors. To help couples better I attended an externship training in Emotion Focused Couples Therapy based on attachment theory.
My Master’s thesis in graduate school was on attachment theory. My internship was working with children who were challenged behaviorally. After graduate school I did an externship in play therapy at an inner city elementary school. Prior to establishing a private practice I worked at a domestic violence organization counseling women involved in abusive relationships on self esteem, boundaries, codependency and related issues to provide a safety net of prevention, education, and support. Also, I worked at two agencies providing counseling for a minimal fee to women, children, couples and seniors. To help couples better I attended an externship training in Emotion Focused Couples Therapy based on attachment theory.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV))