Maria O'Donnell, LCSW

Maria O'Donnell is a Florida licensed clinical social worker with three years of practice experience. She helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, trauma or abuse, and low self-esteem. Maria encourages people to use their own strengths when working through difficult moments and recognizes how hard it can be to reach out for help.

Her approach is straightforward and person-focused. She listens first and helps people name what feels most urgent. Then she and the client set small, practical steps to reduce anxiety, improve communication, or rebuild confidence.

Maria draws from several evidence-based methods, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive behavioral ideas, and client-centered listening. She also uses mindfulness and motivational interviewing tools to help people build new habits and handle painful memories at a manageable pace.

In sessions she aims for clear, usable work rather than long explanations. Conversations often include short exercises, gentle reflection, and goal-setting that fit into everyday life. The focus is on what the person wants to change and achievable ways to get there.

Maria practices in Florida and conducts sessions in English. She views each person as the expert of their own story and works collaboratively to find solutions that feel right for them.

How these approaches can work online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts without getting stuck in them and clarify what matters most to them. Online ACT sessions often focus on practical values-based goals and short exercises to practice between meetings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and tests small changes to see what helps. CBT work online can include brief behavioral experiments and written worksheets to track progress. Client-Centered Therapy prioritizes empathetic listening and supporting the person's own insights, creating space for people to tell their story and find their own solutions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as needed in a collaborative way.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make scheduling easier and help sessions fit into busy lives. It can reduce travel time, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and make it simpler to keep consistent appointments. Licensed professionals can guide practical steps to practice skills between sessions so online work feels grounded and effective.