Meet Mary Pat Cleary
A seasoned guide for life’s most meaningful transitions.
Mary Pat Cleary, BCC
Board Certified Coach
A new chapter, thirty years in the making
After more than thirty years as a school psychologist, Mary Pat Cleary is stepping into something she has been moving toward for a long time — a focused, individualized coaching practice built around the work she cares most deeply about.
Throughout her career, she has supported individuals and families through life’s most significant moments — times of transition, uncertainty, and change when clarity, support, and thoughtful decision-making matter most. That work has been the privilege of her professional life, and it has shaped everything she believes about how people grow.
Becoming a Board Certified Coach allows her to extend that work in a more personal and reflective way. Through The Key, she partners directly with clients to cultivate self-awareness, strengthen decision-making, and build the confidence to make choices that align with who they are — and who they are becoming.
Background & training
Board Certified Coach
Center for Credentialing & Education
Counseling Psychology
Master’s Degree + Certificate of Advanced Education Studies (CAES)
School Psychologist
New York State Certified, 30+ Years
Mental Health First Aid
NYS Certified — trained to recognize and respond to signs of mental health challenges and crisis
TIG Support Trained
Trauma, Illness & Grief — specialized preparation for supporting individuals and families navigating loss, serious illness, and life-altering change
Threat Assessment Training
Trained in threat assessment protocols for school and community settings
Published Writer
Featured on Medium in “Raising Resilient Kids” — strategies for nurturing emotional strength and resilience in children and teens
The approach at The Key
At the heart of this work is a simple but powerful belief — that meaningful change begins when we learn to lead with hope instead of fear. This is grounded in Dr. William Glasser’s Choice Theory, a framework that helps individuals understand the needs influencing their decisions and develop the skills to navigate change with intention.
Hope-Centered
Rather than focusing on what is wrong or what has been lost, we focus on what is possible — exploring options, considering trade-offs, and discovering solutions that are realistic and empowering.
Your Wisdom, Unlocked
Mary Pat does not provide answers. She creates a space where you can slow down, reflect, and reconnect with your own wisdom — then build the confidence to act on it.
Intentional Steps
Together we build the awareness and confidence to make choices that align with your values, your goals, and your vision for the future — one intentional step at a time.
Rooted in psychology, education, and thirty years of real experience
Mary Pat’s career spans school psychology and counseling, giving her a rare combination of insight into how people grow, learn, and adapt across the seasons of life. She has supported students, families, and individuals through some of the most difficult and defining moments a person can face.
That foundation informs every coaching relationship — thoughtful, evidence-aware, and deeply human.
