Luanne Maniacek

Luanne Maniacek is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, and relationship or intimacy concerns. She brings a long history of practice to sessions and focuses on practical steps clients can use in daily life. Luanne writes plainly and listens for what matters most to each person she meets.

Luanne has about 40 years of experience in the helping professions. She has supervised graduate-level therapist interns and led crisis intervention teams in community mental health settings. Her background includes work with caregiver stress, aging and geriatric issues, and substance use concerns, among other life challenges.

Her approach centers on strength - finding what already works and building new skills from there. She uses Trauma-Focused Therapy along with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to guide sessions. She encourages either a disease model or harm reduction for people dealing with addiction, depending on what fits the person.

Sessions tend to be empathic and supportive, with gentle challenges when needed to promote change. Luanne emphasizes clear, ongoing communication about goals and progress, so people know how therapy is working. She works in English and practices in Illinois.

To begin, she asks about each person’s history, current struggles, expectations, and goals so treatment can match their needs. The focus is on usable strategies and steady movement toward the changes people want to make.

How her approaches work for online therapy

Trauma-Focused Therapy focuses on helping people process difficult events and reduce the ways those memories affect daily life. It often involves stabilizing skills, gradual exposure to distressing memories, and learning coping tools that can be used outside sessions.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take actions that match those values, even when unpleasant thoughts or feelings are present. It emphasizes mindful awareness and practical steps toward a meaningful life.

Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience and pace. The therapist listens closely, reflects what she hears, and supports the person in finding their own solutions rather than directing them.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Luanne will work with each person to match methods to their goals, preferences, and current needs. She checks in about progress and adjusts the plan as needed so therapy stays useful.

Confirm current session format options before booking so you know what is offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules demand. It can also let people use video or phone in ways that match their daily routine and comfort level.