Mary Jo Brill, LCSW

Mary Jo Brill is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing relationship strain, anger, low self-esteem, and major life changes. She greets clients in an open, welcoming way and aims to create a non-judgmental setting where people can talk honestly about what feels hard now.

She draws on a strengths perspective, looking for what’s already working and building from there. Sessions focus on practical steps people can try between meetings, and on tuning into values and goals that matter most to each person. Mary Jo uses a mix of approaches to match each person’s needs rather than a single fixed plan.

Her background includes five years in clinical practice as an LCSW in Illinois. She has experience helping people with body image concerns, communication problems, control issues, and questions about life purpose, including midlife crisis concerns. That experience shapes how she notices patterns and suggests small changes.

In session she combines client-centered conversation with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and solution-focused ideas when they fit. She also draws from psychodynamic perspectives and motivational interviewing to understand deeper patterns and support motivation for change. The aim is to collaborate on goals and practical steps that feel doable.

People who choose her can expect a respectful listener who helps them set clear, achievable goals. She works with each person to create a plan that fits their life and priorities.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Client-centered work focuses on listening and responding to what matters most to the person. The therapist follows the client’s lead, reflects concerns, and helps clarify goals so conversations feel focused and respectful.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It uses straightforward exercises to test unhelpful thoughts and to build new coping habits, which can be practiced between sessions to track progress.

Motivational Interviewing supports people who feel stuck or unsure about change. It uses open questions and reflective listening to strengthen a person’s own reasons for taking steps forward and to increase motivation for gradual change.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, preferences, and current situation. That decision is revisited as therapy progresses so the plan stays useful.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, for example by reducing travel time and allowing shorter check-ins when needed. Specific session formats are not listed here, so confirm the current options before booking. The focus online is the same as in person - clear goals, practical steps, and an ongoing plan that fits everyday routines.