About
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered approach
About Maria
Maria Ward is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in California with 13 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and parenting challenges. Maria also supports people dealing with anger, depression, addiction, grief, intimacy concerns, and life changes.
She approaches therapy as a practical collaboration. Maria uses methods drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and client-centered work. Sessions focus on noticing what matters to the client, identifying patterns that cause distress, and practicing small changes that fit into daily life.
Maria has particular experience supporting parents and those navigating relationship and family-related strains. She also has experience with issues such as adoption and foster care, attachment problems, blended family stress, caregiver burden, and substance use concerns. Her work includes helping people cope with mood shifts, bipolar concerns, ADHD, and challenges around body image and eating.
She offers therapy in English and Spanish and works with people who are located inside and outside the United States. Maria frames the client as the expert on their own story and brings tools and structure to help with concrete goals. Expect a direct, steady approach that focuses on what you want to change and practical steps to get there.
To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. The subscription used for sessions can be canceled at any time.
How sessions work
How Maria integrates approaches in online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and then taking small, committed actions that align with those values. It can help with anxiety, avoidance, and making choices that matter to you.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and introduces practical exercises to shift them. It is useful for depression, anxiety, and managing mood shifts.
Maria treats therapy as a collaborative process. She will work with you to decide which approach or mix of approaches fits your goals and preferences. That may mean trying one method for a few sessions and adjusting based on what helps.
Confirm the specific session formats offered before booking. The intake asks you to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy routine, shorten travel time, or allow for a brief check-in during a work break. Therapists and licensed professionals can help tailor length and focus so sessions align with your daily life and goals.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She helps adults with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, addictions, parenting challenges, relationship and family-related strain, grief, and related concerns.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style mixes practical, evidence-informed approaches such as ACT, CBT, EFT, attachment-based work, and client-centered methods to identify patterns and try small changes.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 13 years of professional experience working with adults on a range of issues including parenting and relationship stress.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, LMFT, licensed in California.
Does she offer sessions in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Can people outside the US work with her?
She accepts international clients; confirm any location-specific details when you sign up.
How are sessions scheduled and what formats are used?
Please confirm current session options before booking; the intake process begins by selecting the See online therapy options button and completing a short matching questionnaire.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.