PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

MV Portrait of Marilyn Verbiscer
Online therapist

Marilyn Verbiscer

Practical therapy for family and relationship change

Book with Marilyn
Credentials
LMFT
Experience
24 years
Licensed in
Indiana, Illinois
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Marilyn

Marilyn Verbiscer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 24 years of clinical experience. She focuses on common family and parenting concerns such as communication breakdowns, blended family challenges, and separation issues. Parents who want clearer routines, fewer arguments, or better ways to talk about sensitive topics may find practical steps to try right away.

Marilyn uses straightforward, skills-based methods. She often shows couples and family members how to change unhelpful patterns, improve listening, and rebuild trust after infidelity.

Background and approach

She also works with people facing anxiety, depression, grief, sleep problems, low self-esteem, anger, and sexual concerns. Her training includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Child Development and Family Studies from Purdue University. Marilyn holds LMFT licenses in Illinois (IL LMFT 166.000792) and Indiana (IN LMFT 35001596A).

She has published and presented on topics like infidelity and tele-mental health, and has taught psychology courses at Purdue and the Illinois Institute of Technology. In sessions she favors live video work because it tends to move progress along faster. She typically schedules sessions during weekday daytime hours and checks messages Monday through Friday.

Practical coping strategies and clearer communication are common goals she helps people reach. Marilyn blends well-known approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and the Gottman Method to match each family’s needs. She explains techniques in plain language and focuses on steps families can use between sessions.

How evidence-based approaches work online

Marilyn commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the Gottman Method in online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and it focuses on actions that match personal values. The Gottman Method teaches specific communication and conflict-management skills for couples, aiming to reduce criticism and rebuild emotional connection.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative. Marilyn will talk with clients about goals and preferences, then try methods that fit those needs. She adjusts techniques as therapy progresses so the work stays practical and relevant to daily family life.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which allow flexibility for busy households. Video sessions support face-to-face interaction and deeper work, while phone or messaging can be useful for quick check-ins or when schedules are tight. These options make it easier to fit therapy into weekdays and to keep momentum between sessions.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Gottman Method

A research-based framework for couples, focused on how partners argue, repair, and stay connected. Practical and structured, with exercises to try between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Marilyn address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, sleeping problems, parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, and coping with life changes. She also focuses on blended family issues, communication problems, divorce and separation, family of origin concerns, infidelity, mood disorders, SAD, sexual dysfunction, and smoking or vaping cessation.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is practical and skills-based. She uses approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the Gottman Method, and Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients change patterns and try new behaviors between sessions.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 24 years of clinical experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Where is she licensed and located?
She is licensed as an LMFT in Illinois (IL LMFT 166.000792) and Indiana (IN LMFT 35001596A) and practices from Indiana.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as session formats.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
24 years
Licensed
Indiana, Illinois
Languages
English

Next step

Talk to Marilyn

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point
Book with Marilyn