Mary Brahm, LCPC

Mary Brahm, LCPC, is licensed in Illinois and has 35 years of practice. She focuses on addictions, mood disorders, trauma, relationship and parenting concerns, and grief. She describes her work as direct and flexible, using approaches that fit the person and situation.

Mary uses a mix of methods to address substance use, relapses, co-occurring conditions, and life transitions. She works with people who face depression, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue. She also addresses intimacy issues, communication problems, codependency, and process addictions such as gambling or pornography.

Her background includes long experience in behavioral health and substance use treatment. She served in the Marine Corps and spent part of her career working with service members, veterans, civilian personnel, and retirees. That work informs how she approaches first responder and veteran-related concerns.

Over the years she has held roles in community mental health and as a senior therapist. Her practice has included crisis intervention, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and work with multicultural and prejudice-related issues. She emphasizes building trust and combining focused effort with practical strategies.

Mary describes her style as straightforward and eclectic. She commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered methods, Existential ideas, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing when appropriate. Treatment aims include identifying triggers, developing coping skills, and changing unhelpful behavior patterns.

Sessions also cover career and life-purpose questions, forgiveness work, and family-of-origin problems. Practical goals, symptom management, and problem-solving are core elements of her approach.

How Mary applies therapy approaches online