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Mary Jennifer Meister, LCSW

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Mary is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

5.0 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Mary. View 34 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Illinois

Recent reviews

This is my sixth year with MJ. My life and the people in it have been deeply impacted in a positive way because of the impact she has on me. She is incredible. I could not be where I am at this level of growth in my relationships, personally and professionally without her expertise, patience and understanding. I admire her and am so grateful she is in my life. She is the absolute best and I can honestly say that she’s been with me through the best of times and the worst of times and I am so grateful I have the best therapist in the world.

Reviewed May 2022

She’s fantastic!!

Reviewed August 2020

More about Mary

  • 16 years' experience
  • Female
  • LCSW

I am an individual, family and marriage counselor licensed in Illinois with over 10 years of experience working as a social worker. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, and ADHD. I also have helped many people who have experienced sexual, physical trauma or emotional abuse. Honestly, I tell my patients if they can tell me something I haven't heard or experienced before I'll give you my Mickey Mouse watch. Mickey has stayed on my wrist a long time so far...

My counseling style is warm, interactive and holistic. I will help you to explore your physical, emotional and spiritual needs in an effort to bring harmony and balance into your life. That sounds fancy! It isn't. It just means I like helping people to get comfortable in their own shoes, having their inner personality match their outer personality. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels (so I highly doubt I will try to diagnose your problem, rather I try to find solutions to difficulties). My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, solution based/ brief counseling, and common sense (I'm heavy on the common sense!). I approach each person as an unique individual and don't mind using a little humor to help look at things from a different perspective.

It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you.

This program works like email so you wont get responses right away like text messages so please be patient and I will respond within 24 hours if possible. I am available for phone calls or live chat by appointment only.

I look forward to working with you!

MJ

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Depression Coping with life changes Relationship issues Family conflicts Parenting issues Anger management Self esteem Career difficulties Bipolar disorder Abandonment Aging and geriatric issues Attachment issues Blended family issues Cancer Caregiver issues and stress Codependency Communication problems Divorce and separation Family of origin issues Family problems Hospice and end-of-life counseling Isolation / loneliness Life purpose Money and financial issues Mood disorders Personality disorders Post-traumatic stress Pregnancy and childbirth Prejudice and discrimination Self-love Sexual assault and abuse Social anxiety and phobia Women's issues Workplace issues Young adult issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Gottman Method
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Trauma-Focused Therapy

Licenses

Mary Jennifer Meister's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1588075048.

  • LCSW · Illinois · 149016609 · Expires November 2025

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.

Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.

Reviews for Mary Jennifer Meister

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

5.0

34 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Helped Recommend Wonderful Grateful Insightful Support The best Helping Supportive Thankful

This is my sixth year with MJ. My life and the people in it have been deeply impacted in a positive way because of the impact she has on me. She is incredible. I could not be where I am at this level of growth in my relationships, personally and professionally without her expertise, patience and understanding. I admire her and am so grateful she is in my life. She is the absolute best and I can honestly say that she’s been with me through the best of times and the worst of times and I am so grateful I have the best therapist in the world.

Reviewed May 2022

She’s fantastic!!

Reviewed August 2020

I’m very thankful. Mary has helped me discover a whole new approach to how to manage my self care goals. Lots of personal progress and success is evident.

Reviewed November 2019

You're awesome

Reviewed July 2019

MJ is like talking to an old friend who can bring you back to center. She is quick to ask questions that provokes thought.

Reviewed January 2019

I admit being skeptical of the online counseling idea. However, MJ has made a believer out of me!! She has been amazing to work with. She is not afraid to deal with tough stuff, she tells you what you need to hear (not necessarily what you want to hear). She is always there for me and I am grateful for her support.

Reviewed December 2018

MJ is the best!!

Reviewed November 2018

I love MJ. She is funny and down to earth. She tells me what I really need to hear and not necessarily what I want to hear. She is able to relate to my circumstances and help me work thru my personal past so I can work thru my current feelings.

Reviewed November 2018

Mary is an excellent counselor for me. She is direct, empathetic, insightful, and tough in a really good way. She’s helping me to understand my role in situations and how to approach these situations differently. I am confident that Mary is a perfect fit for me and I feel would be for most individuals.

Reviewed May 2018

As a counsellor myself, I've been so reticent to seek out help because I know that deep down, there's no quick fix for what ails me. I know that the things that make me sad and depressed are for life, so I just have to find ways to MANAGE it. I guess you could compare it to a dentist trying to fix his/her own teeth, seemingly impossible, but they can maintain upkeep each day. So I was so relieved to find that Mary was a straight shooter and she met me where I was at, and when she said, that she can't do it for me, I completely got her and appreciated her candidness because its so true, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink and that pretty well sums up the essence and direction of where our counseling sessions went...its only in the DOING that I am going to help myself, and I totally knew that and just needed someone to remind me and then show me how, strategies, suggestions, ways to do what needs must, to MANAGE the depression.

Reviewed January 2018

MJ is a wonderful listener!!! I want to learn to listen like she does! She is very warm and open and will be there for you. She is helping me in more ways than I ever expected going in.

Reviewed November 2020

Mary is very knowledgable and intuitive. I felt from the outset that we had a good connection, and felt that she understood me. Mary is a great counsellor, and I would highly recommend her.

Reviewed September 2019

I appreciate the guidance and explanations that MJ has offered. I'm looking forward to working with her on a long term basis.

Reviewed August 2019

MJ has helped me in just 3 sessions. From the first session I was feeling better. I wasn’t sure if counseling was exactly what I needed but after my first session I knew that MJ was going to be able to help me.

Reviewed June 2019

Shes friendly and good. Keeps it light.

Reviewed December 2018

I love Mary Jennifer. She has been a real support system for me.

Reviewed November 2017

MJ has quite simply, helped me turn my life around. Extremely grateful for her grounding counselling presence in my life.

Reviewed November 2017

I really liked her. I felt she understood my situation and gave me good suggestions. I would recommend her to anyone wanting to do on line councilling.

Reviewed November 2017

Mary is so supportive and goes out of her way to encourage me and be there when I most need her. Her invaluable support has helped me recognise many things in myself and my situation that I couldn't see alone. Thank you so much for being there

Reviewed November 2017

MJ is wonderful. She has a very supportive style but without the "BS".

Reviewed June 2017

Mary Jennifer Meister has been wonderful to work with! She is kind, understanding, patient, and very easy to talk to. Her advice is very helpful and practical. I highly recommend her!

Reviewed May 2017

MJ has been absolutely wonderful. She is punctual, reliable, and the only counsellor I've ever had who feels as much like a friend as she does a therapist. With MJ you're having an open and honest dialogue with someone you can trust, and at no point do you feel uncomfortable doing so. I may not have known her long, but I hope we will always stay in touch no matter what, because she's quickly becoming family to me.

Reviewed April 2017

Mary was just the person I needed! She was very kind & understanding while still giving me practical advice and steps. Thank you for all your help, Mary. You've given me the courage to seek help with a therapist in person.

Reviewed February 2017

She is very nice and has put up well with my craziness and my ridiculous schedule. I'd recommend her for sure

Reviewed February 2017

Mary Jennifer is an experienced, direct therapist, focusing on her patients' issues. She's very helpful and effective. Friendly and trustworthy.

Reviewed February 2017

MJ is very attentive and has a way of making me feel better at the end of every chat.

Reviewed February 2017

Mary is helping me greatly! So thankful for our sessions.

Reviewed January 2017

Very positive experience with Ms. Meister - sensitive but practical and with very useful cognitive behavioral support.

Reviewed January 2017

I've truly felt cared for. I've shared a lot of intense, painful memories and she didn't flinch. Mary just gave back comfort during a most sensitive time for me. I'm extremely thankful for her counseling.

Reviewed January 2017

Mary is everything you need in a therapist. She listens, she contributes and she doesn't just sit there and say, hmmmm and interesting, without offering any guidance. Straight to the point and jumps right in. I highly recommend her.

Reviewed January 2017

Mary Jennifer Meister has really helped me by being very supportive, responsive and available at my worst times. I warmly recommend her.

Reviewed December 2016

Mary is wonderful, insightful, and kind. She's helped me understand myself far better, and I look forward to continuing to work with her.

Reviewed November 2016

Very insightful and compassionate. Really able to dig at what matters and to assist in finding solutions that really help you figure out your life's challenges.

Reviewed November 2016

I like how to the point she is; she is very good at identifying issues and finding ways to help me work through them. She's a wonderful counselor, very constructive and insightful.

Reviewed December 2015

How was your experience with Mary?

Frequently asked questions

Does Mary Jennifer Meister offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Mary Jennifer Meister works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Mary Jennifer Meister speak?

Mary Jennifer Meister speaks English.

How many years of experience does Mary Jennifer Meister have?

Mary Jennifer Meister has 16 years of experience.

Where is Mary Jennifer Meister licensed to practice?

Mary Jennifer Meister is licensed to practice in Illinois.

Does Mary Jennifer Meister accept clients outside of the United States?

Yes, Mary Jennifer Meister accepts clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Mary Jennifer Meister offer?

Mary Jennifer Meister offers clients Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gottman Method, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

How can I communicate with Mary Jennifer Meister?

Mary Jennifer Meister can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Mary Jennifer Meister?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.