Mary Brahm, LCPC
Veteran counselor for addiction and trauma
- 35 years experience
- Veteran and military insight
- Video phone and text
About Mary Brahm
Mary Brahm is a seasoned licensed counselor with 35 years of professional experience in behavioral health and substance use disorders. She brings a direct and often described-as-straightforward style to her work, shaped by years of living and practicing around the world and by two decades of service in the Marine Corps. That combination of life experience and clinical practice has taught her that flexibility - adapting methods to fit each person - is essential for meaningful change.
Mary employs an eclectic, client-centered approach that meets people where they are while encouraging growth toward internal and external fulfillment. Her practice addresses a wide range of concerns including addictions and dual diagnosis, bipolar disorder, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting and career challenges, compassion fatigue, and coping with major life changes. She also works with co-morbidity, codependency, process addictions, veteran and first responder issues, multicultural concerns, and hospice and end-of-life counseling.
Throughout her career Mary has worked with servicemen, civilian personnel, retirees and family members, and has held roles in community mental health and as a senior therapist. She emphasizes building trust, combining focused effort with compassionate support, and using evidence-informed techniques tailored to each client. Her clinical background includes an Illinois LCPC - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - along with credentials as a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor with supervisor status and a Licensed Social Worker in Ohio. Mary has completed postgraduate marriage and family coursework and holds certifications as a Private Practice Certified Life Coach (2013), Certified Telehealth Therapist (2019), Certified Hypnotherapist (2004), and in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP, 2013). She offers individual, adolescent, adult, couples, family and group work, and has experience with severely mentally ill populations and specialized interventions related to sexual assault response and crisis management.
Mary employs an eclectic, client-centered approach that meets people where they are while encouraging growth toward internal and external fulfillment. Her practice addresses a wide range of concerns including addictions and dual diagnosis, bipolar disorder, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting and career challenges, compassion fatigue, and coping with major life changes. She also works with co-morbidity, codependency, process addictions, veteran and first responder issues, multicultural concerns, and hospice and end-of-life counseling.
Throughout her career Mary has worked with servicemen, civilian personnel, retirees and family members, and has held roles in community mental health and as a senior therapist. She emphasizes building trust, combining focused effort with compassionate support, and using evidence-informed techniques tailored to each client. Her clinical background includes an Illinois LCPC - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - along with credentials as a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor with supervisor status and a Licensed Social Worker in Ohio. Mary has completed postgraduate marriage and family coursework and holds certifications as a Private Practice Certified Life Coach (2013), Certified Telehealth Therapist (2019), Certified Hypnotherapist (2004), and in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP, 2013). She offers individual, adolescent, adult, couples, family and group work, and has experience with severely mentally ill populations and specialized interventions related to sexual assault response and crisis management.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
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 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. License details: 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?
You can work with Mary through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Mary Brahm work with international clients?
No. Mary does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Mary Brahm cost?
Costs can vary based on location and availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time for any reason. For current pricing and details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with Mary. Depending on her availability, you can then schedule a first session by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Mary often integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and EMDR into her online practice. ACT focuses on clarifying personal values and taking committed action - it helps people move forward when avoidance or rigid thinking gets in the way. CBT examines the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviors and offers practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and problematic habits. EMDR is a trauma-focused method that helps process distressing memories and reduce their emotional intensity, often used for post-traumatic stress and abuse-related issues.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Mary works with each client to identify goals, preferences and needs, and she tailors techniques over time so the treatment fits the person rather than forcing a single method.
Online therapy with Mary can be delivered by video call, phone session, live chat or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make regular contact and continuity of care easier to maintain for people balancing work, family, military or caregiving responsibilities, while allowing therapists and clients to focus on progress and practical tools that translate into daily life.