Mary Brahm, LCPC

Mary Brahm is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Illinois with 35 years of clinical experience. She combines clear, direct support with practical tools to help people manage addiction, mood concerns, relationship strain, grief, and major life changes.

She draws on cognitive behavioral therapy along with acceptance and commitment strategies and client-centered work to meet people where they are. Sessions focus on identifying unhelpful thinking, building coping skills, and choosing actions that match what matters most. EMDR and existential ideas are also part of her toolkit when trauma or meaning questions arise.

Mary has worked extensively in behavioral health and substance use settings. Half of her career involved serving military personnel, civilians connected to the armed forces, and retirees, and she brings that perspective to related issues such as first responder and veteran concerns. Her practice also addresses co-occurring problems, codependency, process addictions, communication problems, and multicultural stressors.

In session she aims to build trust quickly and then use direct, practical interventions. Therapy may include goal-focused exercises, exploring family of origin patterns, grief work, or relapse prevention planning. She supports people through hospice and end-of-life counseling and helps those wrestling with life purpose or midlife transitions.

Mary offers a range of session formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time, and services are delivered in English in Illinois.

How Mary’s Approaches Fit into Online Care

Mary uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors that reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. CBT is practical and often focuses on small, doable changes that can be practiced between sessions.

She also integrates acceptance and commitment therapy, which helps people clarify what matters to them and take committed action even when uncomfortable emotions are present. Client-centered elements mean the therapist listens carefully and adjusts work to each person’s pace and preferences.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process, and Mary will collaborate with each person to find what fits best for their goals and life situation. That may mean trying a few techniques and adjusting over time so the work feels relevant and effective.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation for skill practice and deeper work. Phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging help people keep momentum between meetings or communicate when typing feels easier than speaking. These options make it possible to fit therapy around work, caregiving, or other daily demands.