find a therapist you actually vibe with
Mary Kate Beckmen, LCSW
I became a therapist because I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed, stuck, and unsure of what comes next.
I also know how much it matters to find someone you can actually be real with.
Therapy with me is warm, honest, and collaborative. I’m not here to sit silently while you try to figure everything out alone. I’m here to help you connect the dots, understand your patterns, and make sense of what feels heavy, confusing, or hard to explain.
I work with teens, college students, young adults, and members of the adoption triad who are navigating anxiety, identity questions, trauma, attachment disruptions, relationship stress, life transitions, and the pressure to have it all figured out.
As an adoptee, I understand how complicated it can feel to hold questions about belonging, identity, family, loss, connection, and the parts of your story that do not always fit into a neat explanation. That lived experience, combined with specialized training in adoption and trauma, shapes the way I show up in the therapy room.
I’ve worked in child welfare, therapeutic schools, and private practice, supporting young people and families through some of the most overwhelming and uncertain seasons of their lives. My goal is to help you feel less alone in what you’re carrying, find steadier ways to cope, and move toward a life that feels more clear, grounded, and like your own.
education, credentials, & certifications
Bachelor of Art in Psychology, University of Dayton
Master of Social Work, Loyola University Chicago
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois, Colorado, and Florida
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
clinical & professional trainings
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
a structured, evidence-based approach that helps children, teens, and young adults process trauma, understand their reactions, and build safer ways to cope
National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative
specialized training in adoption-competent care, including the emotional, relational, identity, and attachment experiences that can impact adoptees and families
Theraplay® Level 1
an attachment-based approach that uses connection, playfulness, and emotional attunement to support trust, regulation, and stronger relationships
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
a skills-based approach that helps clients manage intense emotions, handle stress, communicate more effectively, and feel more in control of their reactions
Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) Trauma Treatment
a trauma-informed framework focused on strengthening emotional regulation, attachment, identity, and resilience after difficult or overwhelming experiences
beyond the therapy room
Outside of therapy, you can usually find me with my two fur babies, Ellie the dachshund and Callie the cat, who are known to make appearances during telehealth sessions and have become client favorites.
I’m also a reality TV fan, because sometimes you just need a little drama that is not your own. When I’m not catching up on Bravo, I’m usually crafting, exploring Chicago restaurants, or spending time with friends and family.
I also teach at Loyola University Chicago, where I get to mentor future social workers. It keeps me connected to the work in a different way and reminds me why I care so much about making therapy feel human, useful, and real.
At the end of the day, I’m all about keeping things honest, finding balance where we can, and making room for what actually matters.