What are your specialties?
Mary Ann Cleary, LCSW, CADC helps adults heal from attachment wounds, guides high achievers to untangle self-worth from performance, and supports individuals overcoming addiction.
What is an attachment wound?
An attachment wound is the lasting emotional and behavioral impact of growing up with caregivers who could not fully meet your fundamental attachment needs. Individuals with these wounds often struggle in adult relationships and carry a deep-seated belief that they are not good enough. This usually stems from a childhood where love, attention, prioritization, acceptance, and safety were not provided in consistent, reliable, or unconditional ways.
Importantly, a child can still develop an attachment wound even if their caregivers genuinely loved them and did their best. Wounds frequently arise from parental unavailability caused by outside pressures—such as working long hours, chronic stress, or the caregivers’ own unhealed trauma—which inadvertently disrupt their ability to attune to a child’s emotional needs.
Check out the specialty page to discover more about how attachment wounds can present in adulthood.
How can I tell if my therapist is a good fit for me?
The single most important factor for success in therapy isn’t a clinician’s specific credentials—it is the quality of the connection you share.
Your therapist should serve as a secure base for healing, making you feel safe, seen, and deeply valued. Empirical research consistently shows that a robust “therapeutic alliance” deepens client engagement and predicts better outcomes across all types of therapy, often outweighing the specific techniques being used.
What the Research Says
If you are interested in diving deeper into the science behind the therapeutic bond, you can review the following resources:
- Read the American Psychological Association CE Corner Article on how relationships drive better patient outcomes.
- Explore the NCBI Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Relationship Guide for an overview of the therapeutic alliance.
Finding Your Fit
Ultimately, it matters less if a therapist specializes in DBT or EMDR, or if they have spent decades working with specific populations. What matters most is that you feel comfortable and prioritized in the room.
If you choose to work with Mary Ann Cleary, she commits to building a relationship with you that is warm, authentic, trusting, and fully focused on your needs.
What if we don’t click?
If something feels off in therapy, Mary Ann encourages you to discuss it with her. She will also periodically check in on your progress to ensure our approach remains productive and collaborative. If we need to adjust, we will find a forward path that feels right for you. If you ultimately decide the fit isn’t quite right, Mary Ann will completely understand and will gladly provide referrals to other providers.
What can I expect from you as my therapist?
Mary Ann leads with profound compassion and warmth, but she will also challenge you when necessary. Together, we will uncover your blind spots. We all have limitations in self-awareness and can fall into the trap of treating our thoughts and feelings as facts without recognizing our biases. Mary Ann holds herself to the exact same standard. She is deeply committed to doing her own work through personal therapy and ongoing education—from professional trainings and empirical journals to consultations with seasoned professionals. Our work is a collaboration, and Mary Ann is always open to your feedback. If something isn’t working, we will pivot. However, we won’t shy away from effective strategies simply because they are uncomfortable. We will find tools to manage the discomfort, but we can’t eliminate it entirely; change is inherently difficult. After all, that is why you are here.
What will be expected from me as your client?
Therapy is an active, collaborative commitment. Unpacking past hurts is challenging, and true growth happens when you bring honesty, openness to feedback, and personal accountability into our sessions. Rather than just talking each week, we will work together to recognize unhelpful patterns and pivot toward your goals. While the most profound transformations happen when you apply these insights to your day-to-day life, Mary Ann knows this work takes time. She encourages you to take things at your own pace. She cannot do the work for you, but will fully support your journey.
What is your therapeutic approach?
Up Late Therapy is rooted in a systemic and integrative approach, meaning Mary Ann tailors evidence-based methods directly to your specific goals. She cares deeply about seeing the whole you—not just what is on the surface. Together, we will look at the relationships and environments that have influenced your life, including the supportive connection we build in our sessions. Mary Ann truly believes that a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship is the foundation for genuine healing and growth.
Do you offer morning/daytime sessions?
Mary Ann’s availability generally falls between the range of 6:00 PM or later. However, she may be able to accommodate an earlier meeting time. Contact Up Late Therapy and we’ll try to work something out!
What is the latest appointment I can schedule?
Exact times will vary depending on current availability, but typically the latest time slot Mary Ann offers is from 1:00-2:00 AM Central Time.
As a night owl, Mary Ann noticed a severe shortage of non-emergency mental health support late at night. Up Late Therapy was founded to bridge this gap for fellow night owls, busy professionals, overstretched parents, shift workers, and insomniacs.
Do you offer in-person appointments?
Up Late Therapy is a fully virtual practice. Mary Ann does not offer in-person appointments at this time. All sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.
Who do you treat, and where are you licensed?
Up Late Therapy provides teletherapy to adults (18+) located anywhere in Illinois or Massachusetts. Mary Ann’s caseload mostly consists of adult children of emotionally immature parents and dysfunctional families, high achievers, perfectionists, people-pleasers, and folx who use substances (especially alcohol and cannabis) as a coping mechanism.
Do I need to be completely sober to start therapy with you?
Definitely not. You do not need to be completely sober to start therapy. Abstinence is not a requirement. However, if substance use blocks consistent session engagement or creates health and safety risks, a higher level of care like inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment may be recommended. With your consent, Mary Ann will connect with outside providers to support your ongoing care. We can resume therapy when you are ready.
What is a free consultation with a therapist?
A free consultation is a brief 15-minute phone or video call. It gives you space to share your current needs and ask questions. During this call, you can:
- Discuss scheduling and fees
- See if the therapist’s style feels like a good match
- Decide if you feel comfortable working together
This call is not therapy. You will not share your full history yet. There is no pressure to book. You can schedule your first session at the end of the call, or take time to think it over.
To schedule a free consultation, click here.
Will the things I discuss in therapy be kept private?
Yes. Both state and federal laws protect confidentiality and patient privacy in psychotherapy, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission. However, there are certain situations where this does not apply.
These exceptions include:
- Suspected child, dependent adult, or elder abuse.
- If you threaten serious bodily harm to another, Mary Ann is legally and ethically required to notify the police and inform the intended victim.
- If you intend to harm yourself, Mary Ann will work with you to ensure your safety. If you cannot cooperate, she will take necessary actions to keep you safe.