Meet Our Therapists
Mae Winters, LPC
Owner & Clinical Director
The University of Virginia
Old Dominion University
Therapy is one of the few places where you don’t have to hold everything together. I offer a steady, grounded space where you can slow down, feel understood, and explore what’s happening beneath the surface. My work is warm, collaborative, and deeply human — Rooted in presence, curiosity, and real connection.
I use a flexible, evidence-based approach tailored to who you are so you can build emotional steadiness, strengthen self-understanding, and navigate life’s transitions with clarity and confidence.
Who I Work With
People often come to me during times when life feels heavier than expected — Navigating anxiety, relationship strain, burnout, grief, trauma, transitions, or a sense of feeling disconnected from themselves.
Many of my clients are high-achieving adults who outwardly look steady but privately feel overwhelmed, depleted, or unsure how to slow down. I also work with couples who want to reconnect, communicate more effectively, understand their patterns, and rebuild emotional closeness.
No matter what brings you in, the common thread is this: You’re tired of just getting by — You want to feel grounded, present, and more like yourself again.
My Approach: Real, Down-to-Earth Therapy Tailored to You
Therapy should never be one-size-fits-all. Your story, your identity, your history, and your emotional makeup matter. I integrate a blend of proven therapeutic approaches so our work fits you — Not the other way around.
My style is warm, steady, and fully present. You’ll never feel rushed, judged, or spoken down to. In our sessions, we intentionally slow things down, explore the patterns influencing your emotions and relationships, and identify meaningful next steps.
My clients often say therapy with me feels human and relatable — Like having a grounded guide who can hold the hard things with compassion and without minimizing your experience.
You will leave sessions with clarity, support, and practical tools that make life feel more manageable.
Why I Do This Work
I created Graceful Changes Psychotherapy because I believe therapy should feel like a place where you can finally exhale — A space where your emotions are understood, your story is honored, and your growth feels both possible and supported.
Walking alongside people as they heal, reconnect with themselves, and build the lives and relationships they want is the deepest privilege of my work.
My Clinical Training & Theoretical Influences
I draw from a range of evidence-based modalities, integrating them to fit your needs:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
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Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
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Person-Centered Therapy
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Attachment-Based Approaches
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Internal Family Systems (IFS-informed)
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Mindfulness & Somatic Awareness
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Trauma-Informed and Skills-Focused Interventions
This blended approach allows us to work on insight, emotional regulation, communication patterns, and meaningful behavioral change — Always at a pace that feels right for you.

