Dr. Ann Maureen McCaughan, LCPC

Dr. Ann Maureen McCaughan is a licensed clinical professional counselor with 18 years of experience. She holds a PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education and has worked as a counselor, supervisor, and professor. Dr. McCaughan helps people sort through stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, grief, and addiction with a calm but straightforward style.

She started out working with young adults navigating college transitions and later broadened to support people at different life stages. Her work emphasizes practical steps that increase day-to-day satisfaction. She treats symptoms like depression, bipolar issues, and anger while also addressing identity, intimacy, and career concerns.

In sessions she treats clients as the experts on their own lives. She listens closely and offers feedback that points out unhelpful patterns. That feedback is paired with concrete strategies to change behaviors and habits that get in the way of goals.

Dr. McCaughan draws on methods including cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment-based ideas, client-centered work, and emotionally-focused approaches. She also brings existential perspectives when people are wrestling with meaning or major life changes.

Outside direct clinical work she teaches counseling, which keeps her current on new research and practices. She works with people located in Illinois and uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for online care.

How Dr. McCaughan’s Approaches Translate to Online Care

Dr. McCaughan commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy and attachment-based ideas in her work. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and practicing new ways of responding; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress. Attachment-based therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns and can help with intimacy, relationship problems, and issues around trust.

She also uses client-centered principles, which means sessions are guided by the client’s values and goals. Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods, and adjust the plan based on what feels most helpful to the client.

Online therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care more flexible. Video helps keep visual cues when needed. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier during a busy day. Live chat or text messaging can support quick check-ins and brief coaching between appointments. These options let people fit sessions into work, caregiving, or other routines while working with a licensed professional.