Marilyn Traynor

Marilyn Traynor is a licensed clinical social worker with 40 years of practice in Illinois. She helps people manage anxiety, depression, grief, and major life changes with calm attention and steady support.

Her practice focuses on adults who are navigating midlife and later-life challenges. That includes caregiver stress, aging concerns, chronic illness, and the emotional strain of life transitions. Sessions aim to help people feel understood and regain a sense of direction.

Marilyn uses several practical approaches in her work. She draws on trauma-focused therapy to address past hurts, cognitive behavioral ideas to change unhelpful thinking, and acceptance and commitment methods to clarify values and guide action. She also uses attachment-based and client-centered techniques to strengthen relationships and build trust in the room.

People often come for help with stress, relationship and family problems, addiction, self-esteem, and work-related pressures. The therapist talks things through, identifies coping options, and works with each person to set realistic steps forward. The pace and focus are guided by the person's needs and goals.

Marilyn describes her role as collaborative and respectful. She supports people as they sort through difficult emotions, practice new ways of coping, and reconnect with what matters most to them.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Trauma-Focused Therapy focuses on helping people process difficult experiences so memories and reactions feel less overwhelming. It can help with symptoms that come after abuse, accidents, or other painful events and aims to restore a sense of safety and control.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions where clarity and purposeful action matter.

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns in close relationships and how early bonds shape current connection and trust. It helps people change relationship habits and improve emotional attunement with others.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Marilyn will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That process may include trying an approach and adjusting it over time based on what helps.

The original profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm what options are available before booking. Online work can make therapy easier to fit into a busy life - it can reduce travel time, allow sessions from different locations, and make shorter check-ins possible when schedules are tight. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, trauma-focused, and attachment-based work to an online setting while focusing on practical steps and regular progress checks.