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MB Portrait of Mary Brahm

Mary Brahm

Dedicated counselor integrating evidence-based care

LCPC Illinois

Experience
35 years in practice
Focus areas
Addictions, Self esteem, Bipolar
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Mary

About Mary

Mary Brahm is an experienced counselor who draws on cognitive behavioral techniques alongside client-centered and acceptance-based methods to support people confronting addictions, mood disorders, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and major life transitions.

Background and approach

With 35 years in behavioral health and substance use treatment, she blends practical skill-building with attention to personal values and meaning to help clients change unhelpful patterns and pursue greater fulfillment. Her background includes work in community mental health, senior clinical roles, and substantial experience with military-affiliated populations.

That breadth of practice informed a flexible, eclectic stance that emphasizes meeting clients where they are, building trust, and using evidence-informed tools such as CBT and ACT as well as EMDR when trauma processing is needed. Mary frames therapy as a collaborative effort that balances hard work with compassion, aiming to strengthen coping, communication, and recovery skills.

Mary holds an LCPC in Illinois and has additional training across telehealth, life coaching, hypnotherapy, and neuro-linguistic programming. She offers services focused on co-occurring conditions, addictions, family of origin issues, grief and end-of-life concerns, compassion fatigue, and a wide range of interpersonal and career-related struggles.

Evidence-Informed Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Mary integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her online practice. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through structured interventions and practical skill-building, which can be useful for depression, anxiety, addiction relapse prevention, and relationship patterns. ACT emphasizes values clarification, present-moment awareness, and committed action to help clients live in line with what matters to them, often helping with chronic stress, life transitions, and feelings of emptiness.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Mary works with clients to explore goals, preferences, and the nature of their concerns, then tailors techniques from CBT, ACT, or other modalities to fit the person’s needs. She values flexibility and partners with clients to adjust strategies over time so therapy remains relevant and effective.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide scheduling flexibility and ongoing support between appointments. These options can make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life changes, support recovery efforts, and allow clients to access therapeutic tools from wherever they are located in Illinois.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Mary commonly address?
She works with a broad array of issues including addictions, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, parenting challenges, career questions, and compassion fatigue.
What is her general therapeutic approach and style?
Mary uses an eclectic, client-centered style that incorporates evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients change patterns and pursue valued goals.
How long has she practiced clinically?
She brings 35 years of professional experience in behavioral health, substance use treatment, community mental health, and senior clinical roles.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
She is licensed as an LCPC in Illinois with license number IL LCPC 180006589 and practices from Illinois.
In what language can sessions be conducted and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available for working together?
Mary offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and needs.
How are costs and scheduling handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin therapy with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

AddictionsSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesCareer difficultiesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Co-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessHospice and end-of-life counselingLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMulticultural concernsPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Sex addictionSexual assault and abuseYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

35+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English