Profile / United States
Mary Jennifer Meister, LCSW
Illinois
LCSW - trauma and mood support
See online therapy options- CBT focus
- EMDR offered
- Relationship skills
About Mary
Mary Jennifer Meister is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois with 17 years of experience helping people with trauma, mood concerns, and the practical stresses of life. She works with individuals on anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and parenting challenges, and coping with major life changes. Sessions focus on clear goals and steps rather than vague promises.
Mary uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside client-centered methods to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits. She also offers Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for people who continue to have strong reactions after talking about their experiences. Motivational Interviewing and elements of the Gottman Method inform work around motivation and relationship communication.
In sessions she breaks concerns into concrete pieces. That might mean tracking when anxious thoughts come up, testing a different response, and noticing what changes. For relationship work she focuses on specific communication skills drawn from the Gottman approach and practical ways to repair interactions.
Her background includes many years supporting people after trauma and helping clients manage mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression. She also addresses caregiver stress, end-of-life issues, and medical-related concerns like cancer and hospice support.
Mary describes a straightforward, interactive style. She uses clear techniques, occasional humor, and goal-focused planning. Clients are invited to try different tools and see which ones fit their daily life.
Sessions and administrative details vary with location. International clients who speak English can be accommodated. To begin, a matching questionnaire is completed and a first session is scheduled through the online options provided.
How her methods translate to online work
Mary uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice patterns of thinking and try concrete behavior changes. CBT sessions online focus on short exercises, homework assignments, and reviewing what worked between meetings. Client-Centered Therapy is about listening and following the clients concerns; online sessions using this approach give space for the person to set the pace and priorities. EMDR is offered as another option for trauma processing and, when appropriate, can be adapted to a remote format with clear step-by-step guidance.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Mary will collaborate with each person to decide whether CBT, EMDR, or client-centered techniques fit best given their goals and comfort. That choice can change over time as needs evolve, and decisions are made together rather than assumed.
The biography mentions telehealth and notes phone or video are available by appointment, so confirm the exact session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a workday, reduce commute time, or use a shorter check-in format when energy is low. They also allow practical exercises, like tracking thoughts or practicing communication skills, to be reviewed right away in the next meeting.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address most often?
She works with trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and parenting challenges, career and life change, and related mood or personality concerns.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in sessions?
She uses CBT to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits, test alternative responses, and build practical skills that clients can use day to day.
How much experience does she bring?
Mary Jennifer Meister has 17 years of clinical experience working with trauma, mood disorders, and life stressors.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and provides services while practicing from that state.
Are sessions offered in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
What session formats does she use?
The biography indicates telehealth options are used and notes phone or video by appointment; confirm current session formats before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin working together?
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.