Maritza Villacis , LCSW

Maritza Villacis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 15 years of clinical experience. As an LCSW she holds a clinical social work license that enables her to provide mental health counseling and supportive services to adults across a range of concerns. Her background includes work with veterans, spouses, and staff, and earlier roles supporting domestic violence survivors, individuals in shelter placement, seniors, and children. This varied experience informs a practical, down-to-earth style that many clients find approachable and easy to relate to.

She uses a flexible mix of therapeutic approaches including client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, supportive therapy, narrative work, and other evidence-informed tools such as Emotionally-Focused and Gottman-informed strategies when appropriate. Maritza emphasizes human connection as a core strength and strives to create sessions that feel genuine rather than clinical or overly technical. She identifies as a spiritual person and often brings that sense of purpose into sessions when it aligns with a client's values.

Maritza views counseling as the start of a healing process that can be challenging at times. She aims to respond to messages as expeditiously as possible and values flexibility when arranging appointments. When clients are committed and ready to do the work, she supports them in making sense of their experiences and developing coping strategies to move forward.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Maritza Villacis

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing small behavior changes to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. It is practical and skills-based, often used for stress, mood concerns, and coping with life changes.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) centers on understanding emotions and strengthening emotional bonds in relationships. It is helpful for couples or individuals working on intimacy, communication, and attachment-related concerns.

Mindfulness Therapy encourages present-moment awareness and gentle acceptance of thoughts and feelings. It can support stress reduction, sleep difficulties, and ongoing management of anxiety or trauma-related symptoms.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Maritza works collaboratively with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences and tailors strategies from these approaches to suit each person. This allows therapy to evolve as progress is made and priorities change.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for busy schedules and for those who prefer remote care. These options make it easier to fit sessions into work, family, or caregiving responsibilities and allow therapists and clients to maintain continuity of care across different situations.