Vicki Marcum, LCSW - Therapist in Illinois

Emotionally-Focused Therapy
Attachment work
CBT techniques

About Vicki

Vicki Marcum is an LCSW - a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Illinois with more than 40 years of clinical experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting struggles, depression, relationship and family concerns, and a broad range of other life challenges. Sessions focus on real problems and practical next steps.

She has worked across many settings including inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient community mental health, emergency and crisis intervention, and school and community programs. Her background includes case management, work in child welfare, extended day treatment programs, and services delivered in hospitals, schools, churches, and social service agencies.

Her approach begins with a client-centered stance to build trust. Once rapport is established she draws on theoretical approaches that fit the issue and the person's style. That may include Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or Existential ideas depending on the situation.

Vicki has experience helping people with parenting and developmental concerns, behavioral problems, grief and loss, compassion fatigue, ADHD, eating and body image issues, and complex family-of-origin matters. She has also supported people coping with domestic violence, divorce and separation, and trauma-related issues.

Clients can expect straightforward conversation, occasional challenge to long-standing beliefs, and collaborative planning. The emphasis is on exploring choices, strengthening emotional connection and problem-solving so clients can move forward in daily life.

Using EFT, attachment ideas, and client-centered work online

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on emotions and how they shape close relationships. It helps people name painful feelings and shift patterns that keep them stuck. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early bonds affect current relationships and can clarify why certain situations trigger strong reactions.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and collaboration. The therapist follows the person's pace and priorities while offering reflections that help people make sense of their experience. Together the client and therapist decide which approach or combination best fits the goals and personality of the person seeking support.

Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week by removing travel time and allowing sessions from a familiar location. Different session arrangements can work better for different needs - some people prefer a full video session while others find a shorter check-in or audio session more practical when energy or bandwidth is limited. Confirm the current session options before booking so you know which formats are available. Licensed professionals can use the online setting to focus on emotions, attachment patterns, and practical coping strategies while working around everyday schedules.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse GriefParenting issuesDepression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issues Blended family issuesBody imageCodependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separation Domestic violence Family of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgiveness Guilt and shame Isolation / loneliness Life purpose Midlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPersonality disordersPostpartum depression Post-traumatic stress Pregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSelf-harmSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobia Women's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness Therapy Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

40+ years

Listed in

Illinois

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting, depression, relationship and family issues, and many other concerns such as ADHD and compassion fatigue.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

She starts client-centered to build trust and then uses approaches that match the problem and the person's style, including Emotionally-Focused Therapy and CBT when appropriate.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings over 40 years of clinical experience across inpatient, outpatient, school, emergency, and community settings.

What are her official credentials and location?

She is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - practicing in Illinois.

Can sessions be held in languages other than English?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does she work with international clients?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How does payment or cost work?

Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do you get started with a first session?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.