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MT Portrait of Marilyn Traynor

Marilyn Traynor

Experienced LCSW guiding practical emotional growth

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About Marilyn

Marilyn Traynor brings 40 years of clinical social work experience to her Illinois practice, combining a steady professional background with thoughtful, individualized care. As an LCSW she works with people confronting depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, and the many stresses that accompany life transitions.

Background and approach

Her long career has given her a broad perspective on emotional and behavioral challenges, and she uses that experience to help clients build practical coping skills and clarify their values. Her style is collaborative and depth-oriented, inviting clients to explore difficult feelings while learning tools for resilience.

Traynor integrates approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Attachment-Based techniques to address concerns ranging from self-esteem and relationship patterns to trauma, chronic health-related stress, and compassion fatigue. She also attends to issues like parenting, communication difficulties, and workplace strain, tailoring interventions to each person’s needs and goals.

Clients seeking a steady, experienced clinician will find a practitioner focused on thoughtful listening, practical strategies, and ongoing personal growth. Traynor accepts international clients and conducts sessions in English, offering multiple online formats to accommodate different schedules and preferences.

Integrating Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes clarifying personal values and learning psychological flexibility so clients can pursue meaningful action even when uncomfortable emotions arise; this approach is helpful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical exercises and skills training, which can directly address symptoms of depression, stress, and addictive patterns. Attachment-Based Therapy explores relational patterns and early emotional bonds to improve current relationship functioning and emotional regulation, useful for intimacy issues, communication problems, and trauma-related concerns.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works together with each client to determine which combination of methods best fits their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts strategies over time based on how the work progresses.

Online therapy with Marilyn is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different lifestyles and time zones. These formats make it easier to maintain consistent care while balancing work, caregiving, or health limitations, and they support ongoing skill practice between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Marilyn address?
She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related issues, parenting challenges, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue, among others.
What is her therapeutic style and approach?
Her work is collaborative and depth-oriented, blending client-centered listening with evidence-based techniques. She draws on methods like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy as appropriate.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings four decades of clinical experience to practice, offering seasoned perspective on long-term and complex emotional issues.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois holding the credential IL LCSW 149006091 and provides services from that state.
Can nonlocal or international clients work with her?
Yes, she accepts international clients and conducts therapy in English to accommodate people outside her local area.
What session formats are available for therapy?
She offers multiple online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different preferences and schedules.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Costs vary by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
40 years
Licensed
Illinois
Languages
English