Mary Ellen West, LCSW-S

I’m a licensed mental health professional and neutral Collaborative Divorce Process Facilitator committed to helping couples come to resolution peacefully without going to court.

My Role

As a licensed clinical social worker who has completed training through Collaborative Divorce Texas, I am available to work as a neutral mental health professional (“MHP”) on collaborative divorce teams. In this role, I facilitate the collaborative process, supporting communication among clients, their attorneys, and other neutral professionals to reach respectful, workable agreements and parenting plans.

For more information about collaborative divorce, click here.‍ ‍

*Please note: Collaborative divorce facilitation is not therapy and is separate from my psychotherapy practice. ‍


Professional Background and Education

A licensed clinical social worker since 2005, I have a private psychotherapy practice for children and teens focused on strengthening parent-child relationships. That clinical work shapes how I help divorcing parents build practical, child-centered parenting plans. An earlier career in corporate public relations taught me how to keep difficult conversations structured and productive. As a neutral facilitator, I focus on interests and know the collaborative process from the inside.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-S)

Texas License #41415

Board-Approved Supervisor

The University of Texas at Austin

Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW), Clinical Social Work

Stanford University

Bachelor of Arts (AB), Political Science, Public Policy Concentration

For information on my psychotherapy practice, please click here .


Selected Trainings and Affiliations

Collaborative Divorce Texas Advanced Interdisciplinary Training (2026)

Collaborative Divorce Texas Spring Conference - Speaker (2026)

Co-parenting Plan Mediator Certificate Course (2026)

Collaborative Divorce Texas Advanced Interdisciplinary Training (2025)

Parenting Plan and Child Specialist Training (2025)

State Bar of Texas Annual Collaborative Law Conference (2025)

Collaborative Divorce Texas Basic Interdisciplinary Training (2024)

Co-Parenting: Practical Tools for Two-Home Families (2024)

Member, Collaborative Divorce Texas

Member, Collaborative Divorce Austin

Member, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals


This service is available exclusively through the official collaborative divorce legal process.

Divorcing parents or couples first retain collaborative attorneys, who then request that I join their collaborative team.

Parents or couples interested in my services: please have your collaborative attorneys contact me regarding availability.

Work with Me