- Values-based care
- Skill oriented
- Strengths focused
About Maria
Maria Rivera is a licensed clinical social worker in North Carolina with 15 years of experience. She centers sessions on the person in front of her and helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, or addiction. She also offers support around relationship strain, trauma and abuse, and anger concerns.
Her work begins by listening to each person’s story and naming strengths they already have. Maria uses straightforward conversation to help people see small steps they can take. She focuses on what a person wants to change and on practical ways to move toward those goals.
She draws on several approaches to match what a person needs that day. That may mean learning skills to manage difficult thoughts, clarifying values and next steps, or setting short focused goals to build momentum. Sessions are collaborative and paced to the person’s comfort.
Maria has worked across a wide range of issues including grief, body image and eating concerns, parenting stress, ADHD, bipolar mood challenges, and coping with life changes. She also supports people dealing with abandonment, attachment and blended family concerns, chronic illness, cancer, caregiver stress, and communication problems.
Her style is warm and pragmatic. She encourages small experiments between sessions and checks progress together. If you want practical help and steady support while you work through difficult feelings, she can help you clarify what matters and plan manageable steps forward.
How her approaches fit in online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify what matters to them and take small actions that match those values. It is useful for stress, anxiety, and managing life changes by focusing on values and committed steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches specific skills to change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can reduce anxiety, depression, and problematic habits. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and understanding the person’s experience, creating space to explore feelings and identify strengths.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, then suggest which approaches might help most. Together they check what works and adjust the plan as needed rather than sticking to one fixed method.
If you are considering online work, confirm the current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving, or travel, and they can allow for shorter check-ins when a brief touchpoint is helpful. Discussing scheduling preferences and the practical ways to run sessions is part of the first meetings so sessions match everyday life and goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Credentials
North Carolina
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Maria commonly help with?
She helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and addictions as well as trauma and relationship strain. Other areas include grief, parenting stress, body image, ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, and coping with life changes.
What is her style of therapy like?
Sessions are conversational and practical. She listens first, highlights strengths, and works with clients to set small, achievable steps toward their goals.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 15 years of professional experience working in social work and clinical settings in North Carolina.
What credentials does she hold and where is she based?
She holds an LCSW credential and practices in North Carolina.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.