Maria Rivera, LCSW

Maria Rivera is a licensed clinical social worker who brings 15 years of practice to sessions. She centers the person in front of her and treats clients as experts in their own lives. She offers calm guidance for people facing stress, anxiety, depression, and addiction. Maria recognizes how hard it can be to start therapy and aims to make that first step easier.

Her work focuses on practical skills and steady support. Maria uses approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address emotions and behaviors. She helps people talk through relationship struggles, trauma and abuse, grief, and anger. She also supports those coping with chronic illness, caregiver stress, body image concerns, and parenting challenges.

Maria draws on Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Therapy when a clear plan or a nudge toward change is needed. Sessions often include goal-setting, skill practice, and checking what is working in daily life. She helps clients break down problems into small, manageable steps and track progress over time.

Her practice in North Carolina includes work with mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression, as well as attention concerns like ADHD. Maria also addresses attachment issues, adoption and foster care histories, and aging-related stress. She communicates in English and works with each person to set realistic goals.

To begin, she asks people to reflect on what matters to them and what they want to change. That helps shape a plan that fits real life, not a one-size-fits-all script.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for stress, anxiety, and major life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to reduce symptoms and change unhelpful patterns. It often helps with depression, anxiety, and coping skills. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and building a trusting relationship so people can find their own solutions and build self-confidence.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss what matters most to the client and try methods that fit their goals and preferences. Together they will check what feels helpful and adjust the plan as needed rather than committing to one method up front.

Confirm the exact session formats before booking, as the biography does not list formats explicitly. Online therapy can still make fitting sessions into daily life easier by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, and letting people join from different places when needed. Licensed professionals can use video or phone to deliver the types of work described above, but please verify which options are offered before your first session.