Mary Prior
Clinical Director/Owner — MA, RP
Hi, I’m Mary, the Founder and Clinical Director of Prioritize Wellness. I’m a Registered Psychotherapist with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Western University, and I have a particular passion for supporting pre-teens, teens, young adults, and their families.
My clinical journey began with specialized training in child and adolescent mental health at Vanier Children’s Mental Wellness in London, Ontario, where I worked with children, adolescents, and families navigating a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and relational challenges. This experience shaped much of how I work today: collaboratively, intentionally, and with an understanding that young people do best when they feel genuinely comfortable with and understood by their therapist.
My approach is warm, direct, and down-to-earth. I don’t believe therapy should feel overly clinical or like a young person is being analyzed. Building a strong therapeutic relationship comes first, and from there, I tailor therapy to the individual using evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, family systems therapy, narrative therapy, emotion-focused techniques, and attachment-based work.
Over the years, I have supported clients with concerns including anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, self-esteem, relationships, family changes, attachment difficulties, trauma, and other complex emotional and behavioural concerns.

MY
APPROACH
AT PRIORITIZE WELLNESS
I founded Prioritize Wellness with a clear vision: to create a therapy clinic designed specifically for children, teens, young adults, and families. I wanted the space itself to feel different from what people might picture when they think of a traditional mental health setting.
Our newly renovated clinic was intentionally designed to feel warm, modern, comfortable, and welcoming — a space where young people can settle in and feel at ease from the moment they walk through the door. From our child-friendly therapy spaces and play-based resources to rooms designed with teens and young adults in mind, every detail was chosen to make coming to therapy feel a little less clinical and a lot more comfortable.
As Founder and Clinical Director, my role now extends beyond my own clinical work. I oversee the practice and work closely with our team to maintain a high standard of care while ensuring that families are thoughtfully matched with a therapist who fits their needs, goals, and personality.
In my own practice, I primarily work with pre-teens, teens, and young adults, while involving parents and families when appropriate. I recognize that meaningful change for a young person often means understanding and supporting the bigger picture around them. Above all, I want clients to feel like they can show up as themselves. Therapy can involve difficult conversations and meaningful challenges, but it can also include humour, connection, and moments clients genuinely look forward to. My goal is to create a space where clients feel understood, appropriately challenged, and supported as they work toward meaningful and lasting change.
WHO I WORK WITH
Children: Ages 4+ / pre-teens
Teens: Yes — primary area of focus
Young Adults: Yes — primary area of focus
Adults: Yes
Parents: Yes — parent support and consultation
Families: Family therapy and parent-child sessions
Couples: No
Other: Collaboration with schools and other professionals, when appropriate
AREA OF FOCUS
Anxiety and excessive worry
Depression and mood concerns
ADHD and executive functioning challenges
OCD and intrusive thoughts
Emotion regulation
Self-esteem, confidence, and identity development
Perfectionism and self-criticism
Peer, family, and interpersonal relationship challenges
Life transitions and adjustment
Family changes, including separation and divorce
Attachment and relationship patterns
Trauma and difficult life experiences
Parenting and parent-child concerns
