Marilyn Traynor , LCSW

Marilyn Traynor is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 40 years of clinical experience in Illinois who focuses on helping adults navigate complex emotional challenges. She specializes in supporting people through depression, anxiety, grief, and major life transitions, bringing a compassionate, depth-oriented approach to her work. Marilyn pays particular attention to the needs of midlife and older adults, including those coping with caregiver stress, aging-related concerns, and chronic health issues, and she helps clients build resilient coping strategies and renewed purpose.

Her practice addresses a broad spectrum of emotional and relational concerns, from workplace stress and family dynamics to trauma recovery, self-esteem development, and intimacy-related issues. Marilyn creates a supportive environment where clients can explore difficult feelings, examine patterns linked to attachment and relationship struggles, and develop practical tools for managing daily challenges. She emphasizes individualized care that honors each person - drawing on evidence-based techniques while remaining attentive to each client’s unique story and goals.

Clients who work with Marilyn can expect thoughtful, experienced guidance aimed at fostering understanding, emotional growth, and sustained well-being over time.

Therapeutic Approaches in Virtual Care

Marilyn integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy into her practice, using them to guide online work with adults. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT - helps clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, while identifying meaningful values to guide action; it is useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationship patterns affect current bonds and emotions, helping clients address attachment wounds and improve relationship dynamics, which can support recovery from trauma, intimacy-related issues, and family difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey, and Marilyn works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Sessions adapt over time so interventions are matched to what is most helpful in a given phase of work.

Online therapy with Marilyn is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to increase accessibility and flexibility. These options allow clients to engage from home or other convenient locations, schedule care around busy lives, and maintain continuity of treatment during transitions or relocation. Licensed professionals and therapists can use these formats effectively to deliver focused, evidence-informed support tailored to each client.