Licensed clinical social worker recordIllinois
Mary Jennifer Meister, LCSW
Illinois
Licensed clinical social worker - trauma and life transitions
Continue with MaryCredentials check
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in Illinois
- LCSW, licence 149016609
- NPI
- 1588075048
- Experience
- 17 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Illinois
These details come from information Mary supplied to BetterHelp. A licence can be checked with the social work board of the state that issued it, and an NPI with the national registry.
AAbout
- Trauma and abuse
- CBT and EMDR
- Grief and caregiving
About Mary
Mary Jennifer Meister is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Illinois with 17 years of clinical experience. She works with people who are managing trauma and abuse, depression and bipolar mood concerns, anxiety and stress, and major life transitions. Her practice also addresses relationship and parenting challenges, grief and end-of-life issues, caregiver strain, and work-related concerns such as career change and compassion fatigue.
Mary uses straightforward, practical methods in sessions. She listens to what people bring, asks clear questions, and helps them try small changes that fit daily life. She draws on client-centered techniques to follow each person’s pace and priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to identify unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors. She also offers EMDR when trauma symptoms remain after talk-based work.
Sessions focus on concrete goals and skills. That can look like improving communication, managing mood swings, coping with loss, or reducing overwhelming stress. She can help sort through family of origin patterns, codependency, and blended family issues without labels or judgment. Mary also supports people facing serious illness, hospice, and caregiver stress with practical problem solving.
Her style is down-to-earth and interactive. She combines evidence-based techniques with plain language and occasional humor. Decisions about approaches and pacing are made together so therapy fits real life demands like work, family, and health needs.
To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. The practice notes that session cost varies with location and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
BHow sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following a person’s priorities. In online sessions that means the therapist asks about what matters most right now and adjusts questions and pacing to match the client’s needs. This approach helps when people need practical problem solving or space to talk through relationship and caregiving concerns.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is about identifying thoughts and trying different behaviors. Online CBT can include short exercises, homework, and step-by-step plans to reduce anxiety or manage mood. It works well when someone needs concrete tools they can use between sessions.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a method used for trauma that moves beyond only talking. When appropriate, EMDR can be offered remotely and involves guided processing of distressing memories to reduce their intensity. It is considered when talk therapy alone has not eased traumatic reactions.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, symptoms, and daily life. That choice can change over time as progress is made or new issues arise.
Confirm the available session formats before booking because formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to schedule sessions around work, caregiving, or medical appointments. It can also allow shorter check-ins or telephone options if that better fits someone’s day or bandwidth constraints.
CAreas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
DQuestions
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
She works with trauma and abuse, depression and bipolar mood concerns, anxiety, stress, relationship and parenting issues, grief, caregiver strain, and career or life changes.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is practical and interactive. She uses client-centered listening, CBT to change thinking and behavior, and EMDR for lingering trauma symptoms.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 17 years of clinical experience working in social work and mental health settings.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW, licensed in Illinois.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking since formats are not specified here.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988. More crisis numbers