Mary Cook

Many of the individuals I work with struggle with anxiety, panic, depression, impulsivity, trauma, relationship difficulties, substance use, or complicated relationships with food. Beneath those struggles, there is often a painful feeling that something is fundamentally wrong with them — I’m not good enough. I’m too much. I’m a failure. I’m unworthy. These experiences are deeply human. Over time, many of us develop ways of coping with painful emotions or self-criticism — through overthinking, worry, shutting down, people-pleasing, substance use, impulsive behaviors, restriction or bingeing, or simply trying to hold everything together all the time. Even when these strategies make sense, they can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves, our relationships, and the life we want to be living. Therapy can be a space to slow down, understand these patterns with compassion rather than judgment, and begin building a life that feels more meaningful, stable, and connected. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help people develop new ways of responding to painful emotions, self-criticism, relationship stress, and overwhelming internal experiences while moving toward lives that feel more grounded, flexible, and aligned with their values. Whether you feel clear about what you want to change or have no idea where to begin, you do not have to figure it out alone. I work collaboratively with clients in individual therapy and incorporate DBT-informed principles in learning to relate to our emotions differently. For clients who would benefit from more comprehensive DBT services and structure, I am also part of a comprehensive DBT team providing in-person treatment in Orland Park and Uptown Chicago. I received master’s degrees in both Social Work and Comparative Human Development from the University of Chicago and continue ongoing consultation and supervision in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through the Emotion Management Program, where I also work with adolescents and adults. I also co-facilitate a fellowship program in C-DBT (a modified form of DBT) at the University of Chicago for licensed clinicians. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in academia as a sociocultural anthropologist. My work has always been grounded in curiosity about how people seek connection, make meaning of their experiences, and heal in relationships. Outside of therapy, you can usually find me practicing yoga, spending time near the water, playing music, or volunteering with shelter dogs.