finding the right therapist matters
Mary Kate Beckmen, LCSW
I know how important it is to find a therapist you can actually be real with.
Starting therapy can feel intimidating. Opening up to someone you barely know is not easy, especially when you've spent a long time trying to handle things on your own. My goal is to create a space where you don't have to have the right words, hide parts of your story, or pretend you have everything figured out.
I work with teens, college students, young adults, and members of the adoption triad navigating anxiety, trauma, identity questions, relationship challenges, attachment wounds, and life transitions.
As an adoptee, I understand that questions about identity, belonging, family, loss, and connection are often more complicated than people realize. My lived experience, combined with specialized training in adoption and trauma, allows me to support clients with both personal understanding and professional expertise.
Over the years, I've worked in child welfare, therapeutic schools, post-adoption services, and private practice, supporting young people and families through some of life's most challenging moments. Therapy with me is a collaborative process built on honest conversations, curiosity, and a genuine desire to help you better understand yourself. Together, we'll make sense of what's going on, challenge patterns that aren't serving you, and work toward a life that feels like more than just getting by.
education
Bachelor of Art in Psychology University of Dayton
Master of Social Work Loyola University Chicago
credentials
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Illinois, Colorado, Florida, & Texas
professional certifications
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
advanced trainings
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative
Theraplay® Level 1
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) Trauma Treatment
beyond the therapy room
Outside of therapy, you'll usually find me spending time with my two pets, Ellie the dachshund and Callie the cat. They are known to make appearances during telehealth sessions and are client favorites.
I'm also a reality TV fan because sometimes it's nice to watch someone else's drama. When I'm not catching up on Bravo, I'm usually crafting, trying a new restaurant in Chicago, or spending time with friends and family.
I also teach at Loyola University Chicago, where I have the opportunity to mentor future social workers. Teaching keeps me connected to the next generation of the profession and gives me a chance to share the same values I bring into the therapy room: curiosity, authenticity, and genuine human connection.
At the end of the day, I'm a therapist, but I'm also a real person. The relationships we build, the things that bring us joy, and the ways we spend our time outside of work all matter. I think that's true for all of us.