Profile / United States
Mary Brahm, LCPC
Illinois
LCPC - Addictions and Mood Concerns
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Addiction recovery focus
- Military and first responder issues
About Mary
Mary Brahm is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 35 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing addiction, depression, bipolar disorder, grief, relationship concerns, parenting strain, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes. Mary also addresses career stress, compassion fatigue, intimacy issues, and self-esteem struggles.
She uses practical, evidence-informed methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Sessions focus on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, testing new responses, and building skills that fit everyday life. Her work with military personnel and first responders informs how she approaches trauma, stress, and transition issues.
Mary trained and practiced in community mental health and substance-use settings. Her background includes long-term roles as a senior therapist and work in behavioral health programs. That experience shaped her focus on relapse prevention, dual diagnosis, and recovery aftercare for people with drug and alcohol concerns.
In the room she emphasizes clear goals, workable strategies, and steady problem-solving. She draws on life-coaching tools and past clinical roles to help clients set attainable steps toward change. Mary also brings experience in crisis response, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and multicultural work.
Her approach is straightforward and flexible. Clients who want concrete steps for changing patterns of thinking and behavior may find this style useful. Sessions are conducted in English and she practices from Illinois as an LCPC.
How Mary blends approaches for online work
Mary uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot thoughts and habits that get in the way, and then tests practical alternatives to change feelings and actions. CBT helps with depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and repetitive behaviors by focusing on small, achievable steps.She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people name what matters and take action toward those values while learning to live with difficult feelings. Client-Centered Therapy is used alongside these methods to give space for a client to lead the conversation and for the therapist to listen and reflect what matters most to the client.
Deciding which method to use is collaborative. Mary will talk with a client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they plan an approach and adjust it over time based on progress and feedback.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It can also make it simpler to continue therapy during life transitions while keeping the focus on practical strategies and skill practice.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with addiction, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship problems, parenting stress, and coping with life changes.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and behavior patterns, try small experiments, and build practical coping skills for daily life.
What is her clinical background and experience?
She has 35 years of practice in behavioral health, community mental health, and substance-use treatment, including work with veterans and first responders.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds an Illinois LCPC credential and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for and what do costs look like?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.