
About Mary Cooney Buma

Welcome
I am not your typical Psychotherapist. I am a born and bred first generation New Yorker- Yes, Queens in the House! Throughout the years the New York accent has lessened, and I have learned to speak a heck of a lot slower and how to listen in a compassionate, non-judgmental, and open-minded way. I know that it takes a ton of courage to come to therapy and to shine a light on things that are hard to talk about.
My belief is that we can all be better versions of ourselves. The person who you are in college is not the person you will become. We are all works in progress.
Why seek therapy and a path of healing?
There are times in our life where we can use perspective. There are difficulties and moments of crisis and Indecision, and for many there is a sense of Imposter Syndrome.
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At those times of our life, the best decisions don’t always get made. I am here to tell you that you don’t have to go alone. I am here as a sounding board to help you assess aspects of your personal and professional life.
Mary Cooney Buma
LMSW, EMDR, EFT & Helix Practitioner– Psychotherapist & Speaker
I will help intervene in times of crisis and help steer you back if you feel you are drifting off course. If you are feeling anxious or depressed or in a relationship crisis, I can help you shore up your resources and reclaim your power and sense of worth.
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My background and education is trauma sensitive. I bring a great awareness to clients who suffer from PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder), and other traumatic life events. I became a therapist after realizing that I was always the SOS person that people turned to in times of crisis. You also don’t have to be in crisis or traumatized to seek therapy. There are plenty of people who do not feel like they are at their 100% best or perhaps feel paralyzed by burnout and indecision or a general feeling that there must be more to life. I am here to help you uncover your light and step into the life you were meant to have. I am honored to do this work and I so love witnessing transformation.
Specialties:
Anger
Anxiety
Childhood Wounds & Trauma
Depression
Relationship Conflicts
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Life Stage Transitions
Grief
Boundaries and Co-dependency
Communication
Shame
Confidence
Stress Management
Burnout
Imposter Syndrome
Self-Worth/Self Esteem
Discovering and Owning your Purpose
Exploring Spirituality
Developing Resilience
Education:
Hunter School of Social Work 1997
NY License # 115403
Helix Training Program 2004-2007.
Post Graduate work focused on Eastern & Western Psychology and energy work. Dream Interpretation using Gestalt & Jungian dream analysis. Spiritual exploration using core energetic techniques and Shamanism.
Coach University
Core Essential Track Completed March 2013
Professional Essential Completed October 2014
Myers Brigg Type Indicator Certification. Step I & II.
December 2009
Dharma Yoga- Life of a Yogi 200 hour Teacher Certification
December 2013
I am also trained and certified in many other modalities including Mindfulness, EMDR, EFT, & Coaching & Reiki. I will use every tool in my arsenal to ensure that you get to your place of healing and peace and achieve your goals.
Therapeutic Modalities

CBT
CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a common type of talk therapy, where I will work with you in a structured way, CBT helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. CBT can be a very helpful tool — either alone or in combination with other therapies health disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or an eating disorder. But not everyone who benefits from CBT has a mental health condition. CBT can be an effective tool to help anyone learn how to better manage stressful life situations.

EMDR
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an evidence based psychotherapy intervention that uses bilateral movements combined with talk therapy in a specific and structured format. EMDR helps you process the negative images, emotions, beliefs and body sensations associated with traumatic memories that seem to be stuck. EMDR has been shown to contribute to healing a wide range of mental health Issues.

EFT
EFT- Emotional Freedom Technique is a somatic intervention to reduce psychological distress through self-stimulation of acupoints on the face and upper body while focusing on sensations in the body, or a distressing thought or feeling. EFT tapping works to regulate the nervous system. It can be used as a supplement to existing therapeutic interventions and can also be learned as a self-help technique for immediate relief of distress.

MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness - according to Jon Kabat Zinn “is an awareness that arises through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally. In the service of self-understanding and wisdom.” Mindfulness is being aware of internal thoughts, feelings, and emotions, as well as external surroundings and situations, without automatic responses such as judgment or stress. Mindfulness therapy is a type of talk therapy that focuses on learning how to be more aware and to reduce automatic responses.

COACHING
Coaching - I completed my coaching credentials with Coach University, an ICF- International Coach Federation accredited school. Coaching is about helping people reframe issues and get unstuck. It is goal oriented and focuses on creating tangible steps to unlock your personal and professional power to be the very best version of yourself.