Mary Moore, LPCC-S, LICDC: Trauma, Addiction & Mental Health Counseling

Mary Moore, LPCC-S, LICDC is a licensed professional clinical counselor and licensed independent chemical dependency counselor who focuses on helping people heal from trauma, substance use, and other mental health challenges. Her practice combines evidence-based treatments, a collaborative style, and deep respect for each client’s lived experience.

Professional Background and Credentials

Mary’s credentials signal advanced clinical training and a commitment to ethical, evidence-based care. In many U.S. states, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential indicates a master’s-level clinician who has completed supervised practice, passed a licensing exam, and adheres to state regulations for mental health treatment. The LICDC (or comparable independent chemical dependency credential) reflects focused expertise in substance use and addiction counseling, including assessment, treatment planning, and relapse prevention.

Together, these licenses enable Mary to address both mental health concerns and substance-related issues in an integrated way, which research suggests is more effective than treating them separately.

• LPCC-S – Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with supervisory designation (advanced clinical practice and supervision training).
• LICDC – Independent credential in chemical dependency counseling, allowing her to treat substance use disorders autonomously.
• Ongoing education – Participation in continuing education on trauma, addiction, and emerging therapies (such as EMDR and grief-focused approaches).

Core Therapeutic Values

Mary’s work is grounded in several guiding values that shape every session:

• Safety – Emotional and physical safety are prioritized so clients can speak freely and regulate their nervous system.
• Respect for autonomy – Clients are viewed as the ultimate experts on their own lives; treatment plans are built collaboratively.
• Cultural humility – She strives to understand each person’s cultural, racial, spiritual, and family context without assumptions.
• Strengths-based focus – Emphasis on resilience, existing coping skills, and inner resources, not only symptoms or diagnoses.
• Transparency – Clear explanations of treatment options, risks, and benefits, aligned with informed consent practices recommended in counseling ethics codes.

Who Mary Helps

Mary works with a broad range of clients, typically adolescents, adults, and families who are navigating complex emotional and behavioral concerns.

Common Concerns Addressed

• Trauma and posttraumatic stress (including childhood abuse, accidents, medical trauma, and interpersonal violence).
• Anxiety conditions such as generalized anxiety, panic symptoms, and trauma-related hypervigilance.
• Depressive symptoms, including low mood, lack of motivation, and feelings of hopelessness.
• Substance use and addiction involving alcohol, prescription medications, and other substances.
• Grief and complicated bereavement, particularly when loss intersects with trauma or sudden events.
• Relationship and family stress, often in the context of trauma or addiction dynamics.

Populations Served

• Adults facing work stress, life transitions, or long-standing trauma histories.
• Adolescents dealing with mood, anxiety, peer struggles, or emerging substance use.
• Families seeking support around communication, boundaries, and the impact of addiction or trauma on the household.

Mary’s Therapeutic Approach

Mary uses a blend of modalities that research has supported for trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use. Her guiding framework is trauma-informed care, which emphasizes safety, collaboration, trustworthiness, choice, and empowerment.

Trauma-Informed Counseling

Trauma-informed care recognizes how experiences of threat, neglect, violence, or systemic oppression can shape beliefs, feelings, and behavior across the lifespan. Mary incorporates this by:

• Explaining how trauma affects the brain, body, and emotions in accessible language.
• Checking consent before discussing distressing memories or topics.
• Building grounding and self-soothing skills before intensive trauma processing.
• Collaborating on pace, focus, and boundaries in therapy.

EMDR and Trauma Processing

Mary is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a structured therapy that helps people reprocess traumatic memories so they become less disturbing over time. EMDR uses guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation while the client focuses on aspects of the traumatic memory. The World Health Organization and other agencies list EMDR as an effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder.

When appropriate, Mary may integrate EMDR into treatment to target:

• Single-incident traumas (e.g., accidents, assaults, natural disasters).
• Chronic or complex trauma (e.g., ongoing abuse, repeated losses).
• Distressing beliefs, such as “I am unsafe,” “I am powerless,” or “I am to blame.”

Cognitive-Behavioral and Coping Skills

Alongside trauma-focused methods, Mary uses techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and practice new behaviors. CBT is widely supported as an effective intervention for anxiety and depression.

Common CBT-informed tools Mary may use include:

• Tracking thoughts and emotions between sessions.
• Challenging catastrophic or self-critical thoughts.
• Planning gradual exposure to avoided situations.
• Building daily routines that support sleep, nutrition, and movement.

Integrated Substance Use Counseling

With her LICDC-level training, Mary offers specialized support for substance use disorders. Integrated care that addresses both mental health and substance use simultaneously is considered best practice in many clinical guidelines. In sessions, she may:

• Assess patterns of use, triggers, and consequences.
• Collaboratively set harm reduction or abstinence goals.
• Teach craving management and relapse-prevention skills.
• Coordinate with medical providers or recovery support resources when desired by the client.

What to Expect in Therapy with Mary

For individuals considering working with Mary, knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety about starting counseling.

Session Format and Style

• Collaborative tone – Mary invites feedback and regularly checks how therapy is working from the client’s perspective.
• Curiosity, not judgment – Difficult experiences, behaviors, or coping strategies are explored with compassion rather than criticism.
• Practical tools – Clients often leave sessions with specific skills to practice, such as grounding exercises or communication strategies.
• Flexible pacing – Trauma processing is never rushed; stabilization and safety come first.

Benefits of Trauma-Informed Therapy with a Dual-Licensed Clinician

Working with someone who is both an LPCC-S and LICDC offers several advantages, especially for clients whose trauma, mental health, and substance use concerns overlap.

• Whole-person view – Mary can consider how trauma, mood, anxiety, and substance use interact, rather than isolating each issue.
• Coordinated care – She can collaborate with physicians, psychiatrists, or community supports when clients consent, reducing fragmentation of services.
• Evidence-based focus – Her training aligns with clinical guidelines that recommend integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders.
• Support for families – Families impacted by addiction or trauma can receive guidance on boundaries, communication, and self-care.

Preparing to Work with Mary

Before starting therapy, it can be helpful to reflect on what you hope to gain and what feels most important to address first. Consider these questions:

• What are the main problems or patterns bringing you to counseling now?
• How have trauma, stress, or substance use affected your daily life and relationships?
• What would “feeling better” realistically look like in the next six months?
• What has helped you cope in the past, even in small ways?

Bringing written notes to the first session can make it easier to remember key points when emotions are high. Many clients also find it helpful to ask about Mary’s style, typical session structure, and how progress will be evaluated.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What does LPCC-S, LICDC mean for my treatment?

A: LPCC-S indicates advanced clinical training and the ability to supervise other counselors, while LICDC reflects independent expertise in addiction treatment. Together, these credentials mean Mary is equipped to address both mental health and substance use concerns in an integrated, evidence-based way.

Q: How long does trauma therapy usually take?

A: The length of trauma therapy varies widely. Some people experience relief in a few months, while others, especially those with complex or long-term trauma histories, benefit from longer work. National guidelines emphasize that treatment should be individualized and paced according to safety, stability, and personal goals.

Q: Is EMDR safe, and is it right for everyone?

A: EMDR is considered a safe and effective treatment for PTSD when provided by a trained clinician and when clients are adequately prepared with coping skills. It may not be appropriate in all circumstances—for example, when a person is in immediate crisis, lacks basic safety, or has certain medical or neurological issues—so Mary will collaboratively assess whether EMDR is a good fit.

Q: Can I see Mary if I’m not ready to stop using substances?

A: Many people begin counseling while they are unsure about their relationship with substances. Mary can use a harm-reduction and motivational interviewing style to help you clarify your goals and explore changes at your own pace, consistent with integrated care recommendations for co-occurring conditions.

Q: How do I know if trauma-informed therapy is working?

A: Signs of progress may include fewer or less intense symptoms (such as nightmares or flashbacks), improved ability to regulate emotions, stronger boundaries in relationships, reduced reliance on substances, and a greater sense of safety in your own body and environment. Mary will periodically review goals with you and adjust the plan as needed.

Written by

Medha Deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. Medha specializes in the areas of beauty, health, sports, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is…