Mary Brahm, LCPC
Veteran LCPC for trauma and addiction recovery
- Trauma and abuse
- Addiction and recovery
- Veteran and family support
About Mary Brahm
Mary Brahm is an Illinois-licensed clinician with 35 years of professional experience who combines directness with adaptability to help people move forward. As an LCPC - a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - she brings long-term work in behavioral health and substance use treatment to a practice that emphasizes practical skills and personal growth. Her background includes extensive work with service members, veterans, civilian personnel, retirees, and family members, informed in part by her own service in the Marine Corps. That experience contributes to a deep familiarity with military and first-responder concerns as well as the complexities of co-occurring conditions.
Mary favors an eclectic, client-centered way of working - meeting people where they are while encouraging steady progress toward meaningful goals. She integrates evidence-informed methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic approaches, Solution-Focused techniques, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Client-Centered principles to address problems across the lifespan. Her approach blends practical tools, emotion-focused exploration, and a focus on values and purpose.
Her clinical focus includes addictions and substance use, bipolar disorder, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting and family concerns, relationship difficulties, career and life-purpose challenges, compassion fatigue, and coping with major life changes. Additional areas of emphasis include codependency, process addictions, family-of-origin issues, multicultural concerns, prejudice and discrimination, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and veteran and armed forces issues. Mary offers therapy for individuals, adolescents, couples, families, and groups, and she is experienced with crisis intervention and recovery-oriented care.
She has described herself as different and straightforward, and she prioritizes building trust while balancing hard work with collaborative, often strengths-based work toward change. Mary conducts therapy in English and is accepting new clients in Illinois.
Mary favors an eclectic, client-centered way of working - meeting people where they are while encouraging steady progress toward meaningful goals. She integrates evidence-informed methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic approaches, Solution-Focused techniques, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Client-Centered principles to address problems across the lifespan. Her approach blends practical tools, emotion-focused exploration, and a focus on values and purpose.
Her clinical focus includes addictions and substance use, bipolar disorder, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting and family concerns, relationship difficulties, career and life-purpose challenges, compassion fatigue, and coping with major life changes. Additional areas of emphasis include codependency, process addictions, family-of-origin issues, multicultural concerns, prejudice and discrimination, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and veteran and armed forces issues. Mary offers therapy for individuals, adolescents, couples, families, and groups, and she is experienced with crisis intervention and recovery-oriented care.
She has described herself as different and straightforward, and she prioritizes building trust while balancing hard work with collaborative, often strengths-based work toward change. Mary conducts therapy in English and is accepting new clients in Illinois.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
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 Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Mary Brahm have?
Mary Brahm has 35 years of experience in behavioral health and substance use treatment.
Is Mary Brahm a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the LCPC credential - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - and is licensed in Illinois as IL LCPC 180006589.
In which languages does Mary Brahm provide therapy?
Mary provides therapy in English.
Where is Mary Brahm located?
Mary is located in Illinois.
How can I work with Mary Brahm as my therapist?
Clients can work with Mary through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Mary Brahm work with international clients?
Mary Brahm does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Mary Brahm cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as the client’s location and Mary’s availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire used to match clients with a therapist. Depending on Mary’s availability, clients can then schedule a first session by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Could Virtual Therapy Be a Good Fit?
Many people wonder whether therapy delivered remotely can truly help. For a wide range of common concerns - including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and life transitions - online therapy has been shown to be comparable to traditional in-person sessions.One major benefit is flexibility. Clients can connect with therapists in the format that best fits their life - via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or in-app messaging - making it easier to keep appointments and maintain consistency in care.
Licensed professionals offer a range of therapeutic approaches through remote sessions, and clients may change therapists if they seek a different fit. For many individuals, virtual work with an experienced therapist provides accessible, practical support that integrates with daily responsibilities and ongoing recovery work.