Mary Veronica Sweeney

More About Mary Veronica Sweeney

Clinical Interests:

In 2022, I was fortunate to become a fellow with the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), a superb organization of good people formed to serve the counseling profession, which it has done for 50+ years. They inspire skill, lead with humor, compassion and creativity for addressing Mental Health issues that impact us all. I adore teaching webinars, leading multiple groups, and designing creative interventions to optimize a client’s wellbeing. Working with faculty at the University of Minnesota’s Integrated Behavioral Health program inspired my clinical interests in harnessing exciting intervention possibilities informed by neuroscience, flow states, multiple forms of Creativity, the non-pathologizing view of Self and “parts” within Internal Family Systems therapy, effortless mindfulness, affirmed belonging, wise mind, wise aging, life transitions, and sustainable recovery, to name a few.

Clinical Approach:

It is a privilege to work with a variety of clients seeking support at critical moments for themselves. And I respect the “solutions” each person brings to their life’s problems. I see my work with clients as a form of rigorous play as we explore what matters most to them. This while also attending to the parts that feel stuck, or invisible, afraid or overwhelmed. From there we refine goals and set some strategies to achieve them. From training and instinct, I see human behavior through a multi-faceted diamond. In other words, the struggles my clients experience are inevitably “co-occurring.” Their health conditions are interdependent with other issues in their lives. From there we work on new skills and practices with a goal to develop clarity and uncover a natural belonging and wellbeing.

Hobbies:

I am convinced that every human is naturally born to draw what they see, to imagine possibilities. Some of us just just never gave it up and keep refining it every chance they get. And I am always plotting trips with loved ones and friends to places around the world. It never loses its luster for me. Case in point, I continue to track the great art museums of the world – Venice, Rome, Florence, Belgium, Ireland – to glimpse an actual piece of art, versus the replica of it in a book. Or to walk the human-engineered cities, the breathtaking meadows and hills where a great character in a story came so alive to me.