Maria Rivera, LCSW

Maria Rivera is a licensed clinical social worker with 15 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, and relationship challenges. She works from the view that each person knows their own story and brings strengths to healing. Maria aims to make the first step feel possible and affirms the courage it takes to begin therapy.

Her approach is practical and collaborative. Sessions focus on small, doable changes that fit into everyday life. She uses tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to spot unhelpful thoughts and from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice values and take meaningful action.

Maria also draws on client-centered methods to make space for each person’s priorities. Motivational interviewing helps when people face ambivalence about change. Solution-focused techniques are used to identify what is already working and build on it.

She has worked with people facing trauma and abuse, grief, parenting stress, anger, body image and eating concerns, and substance-related difficulties. Maria addresses mood concerns including depression and bipolar disorder, and she supports people coping with life changes, chronic illness, and caregiving strain.

Therapy with Maria balances practical strategies and straightforward conversation. She encourages clients to test new behaviors between sessions and to notice what helps. If you want a partner who listens and helps shape clear steps forward, she may be a good fit.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice what matters and take steps toward those values even when feelings are difficult. It focuses on gentle awareness and practical actions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches tools to change unhelpful patterns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, understanding, and shaping work around the person’s priorities.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Maria collaborates with clients to decide which methods fit best for their goals and daily life. She routinely adjusts techniques based on how a client responds and what they want to achieve.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people find online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Discuss scheduling preferences and practical needs up front so sessions can be arranged to match routines and responsibilities.