Vicki Marcum, LCSW
Compassionate LCSW with 40 years experience
- Trauma and grief support
- Parenting and family help
- Flexible online sessions
About Vicki Marcum
Vicki Marcum is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with more than 40 years of clinical experience. She holds two master of science degrees - one in Community Health and one in Social Work - and combines that advanced training with decades of hands-on practice across settings and populations.
She is a registered play therapy supervisor and has extensive training in play therapy for people of all ages. She also completed clinical training and holds certification in EMDR, a structured therapy commonly used for trauma. Over her career she has worked in inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient community mental health, emergency and crisis intervention services, and has provided services in emergency rooms, schools, churches, social service agencies, and other community settings.
Marcum has been a Qualified Examiner and has experience with outpatient day treatment and extended day treatment programs for adults with chronic mental illness. Her work has included case management for adults, children, and families addressing parenting, developmental growth, and behavioral challenges. She has delivered therapy in in-home programs and private practice, and has provided individual, family, and group therapy from birth through senior years, including work within the child welfare system.
Her clinical stance begins with a client-centered approach to build trust, then shifts to the theoretical methods that best address each treatment issue and suit each person's style. She is compassionate, supportive, and attentive, and when appropriate she will challenge unhelpful beliefs. She does not tell people what to do; instead she helps them explore options and find their own path. The work may include laughter, tears, and honest disagreement, and is aimed at helping people feel better and move forward.
She is a registered play therapy supervisor and has extensive training in play therapy for people of all ages. She also completed clinical training and holds certification in EMDR, a structured therapy commonly used for trauma. Over her career she has worked in inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient community mental health, emergency and crisis intervention services, and has provided services in emergency rooms, schools, churches, social service agencies, and other community settings.
Marcum has been a Qualified Examiner and has experience with outpatient day treatment and extended day treatment programs for adults with chronic mental illness. Her work has included case management for adults, children, and families addressing parenting, developmental growth, and behavioral challenges. She has delivered therapy in in-home programs and private practice, and has provided individual, family, and group therapy from birth through senior years, including work within the child welfare system.
Her clinical stance begins with a client-centered approach to build trust, then shifts to the theoretical methods that best address each treatment issue and suit each person's style. She is compassionate, supportive, and attentive, and when appropriate she will challenge unhelpful beliefs. She does not tell people what to do; instead she helps them explore options and find their own path. The work may include laughter, tears, and honest disagreement, and is aimed at helping people feel better and move forward.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSelf-harmSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues
Therapeutic Approach
Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Mindfulness Therapy Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Vicki Marcum have?
Vicki Marcum has 40 years of experience in clinical social work and mental health services.
Is Vicki Marcum a licensed therapist?
Yes. She is an LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her license is listed as IL LCSW 149008067.
In which languages does Vicki Marcum provide therapy?
Vicki Marcum provides therapy in English.
Where is Vicki Marcum located?
Vicki Marcum is located in Illinois.
How can I work with Vicki Marcum as my therapist?
You can work with Vicki Marcum through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Vicki Marcum work with international clients?
Vicki Marcum does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Vicki Marcum cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist'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 quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with Vicki Marcum. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches Online with Vicki Marcum
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the person leads the pace and focus of treatment. This approach helps people who need a trusting space to explore feelings, make decisions, and build self-awareness.Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early and current relationship patterns affect emotions and behavior. It can be useful for those dealing with relationship difficulties, abandonment concerns, and family of origin issues, supporting healthier connections and emotional regulation.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to anxiety, depression, and stress, and developing practical strategies to change them. It is often used for mood concerns, coping skills, and problem-solving.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Vicki Marcum collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts the plan as progress is made. This collaborative process helps tailor care to individual circumstances.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain consistent appointments, access therapy from various locations, and choose the communication style that works best for each person.