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Therapist fileCalifornia

Maria Ward

Maria Ward, LMFT

LMFT - Stress, trauma, relationships

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Profile details for Maria Ward
CredentialsLMFT
LicenseLMFT, California / 98143
NPI1184932006
Experience13 years in practice
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
LocationCalifornia

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board that issued it.

01

  • Trauma focus
  • Parenting support
  • ACT and CBT

About Maria

Maria Ward, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), is licensed in California and has 13 years of clinical experience. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, grief, intimacy issues, eating concerns, parenting struggles, self-esteem, career questions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and coping with life changes. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

Maria uses several evidence-informed approaches. She leans on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice thoughts and take meaningful action. She also uses attachment-focused ideas to look at patterns in relationships. Work in sessions is collaborative and practical. Maria listens, reflects what she hears, and offers tools people can use between meetings.

Her background includes focused work with trauma and with people affected by abandonment, adoption and foster care issues, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, and body-image concerns. She also has experience with substance use and domestic violence related issues. Maria describes clients as the experts on their own stories and centers their strengths when planning next steps.

She supports parents managing difficult child behaviors and people navigating separation, divorce, and commitment questions. Sessions address communication problems, boundary setting, codependency, and coping skills for mood shifts. Practical strategies for managing anger, grief, and compassion fatigue are commonly part of the work.

Maria invites clients to set goals and track progress. She helps people build skills for everyday situations and offers resources to practice between meetings. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session.

02

Therapeutic approaches for online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps clients notice thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed, then choose actions that reflect their values. It is useful for anxiety, stress, and situations that require making clear decisions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches skills to change unhelpful patterns. CBT is often used for depression, anxiety, and mood shifts.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Sessions begin with what the client wants to address and then adapt techniques over time based on progress and feedback.

The original biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, shorten travel time, and allow consistent check-ins during life transitions. Therapists commonly use the approaches above in talk-based sessions to teach skills, practice new ways of relating, and set homework between meetings.

03

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

13+ years

Listed in

California

Languages

English, Spanish

04

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, grief, intimacy concerns, eating and parenting challenges, self-esteem, career matters, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and coping with life changes.

What therapeutic style does she use?

She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment-Based approaches, Client-Centered methods, and Emotionally-Focused ideas to guide sessions.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 13 years of professional experience working with a range of concerns including trauma and mood issues.

Where is she licensed and practicing?

She holds a California LMFT license and practices in California.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish, and she accepts international clients.

What session formats are available?

The original biography does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.

How are sessions priced?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988.

FileMaria Ward

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