Marva Beckford , LCSW

Marva Beckford is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with more than 15 years of experience in social work and clinical practice. She has spent much of her career supporting people facing depression, anxiety, trauma, LGBTQ+ concerns, substance use, and self-esteem difficulties, guiding clients as they learn about themselves and how they relate to the world.

Clients have described her as caring and non-judgmental, and they note her honest, direct approach. She brings strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, interpersonal, and adaptive skills to her work and is comfortable engaging with diverse and challenging client populations.

During the COVID epidemic she conducted sessions primarily by video so she and clients could get to know one another, and she also makes herself available by phone and text for those who prefer those formats. A majority of her availability is during daytime hours, with some evening options depending on client needs.

Marva approaches each case with dedication and a practical focus on helping people navigate difficult life moments. She aims to walk alongside clients through change and recovery and has expressed that she would be honored to support someone during an important stage of their life.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Marva integrates several evidence-informed methods into her online practice to meet different needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is commonly used for issues like anxiety and depression and provides practical tools to manage symptoms and build coping skills.

Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates specifically on the impacts of trauma, helping people process distressing experiences and reduce their ongoing influence on daily life. This approach often involves pacing, stabilization techniques, and gradual processing tailored to each person's readiness.

Motivational Interviewing supports individuals who feel ambivalent about change, such as people addressing substance use or other behavior changes. It uses a collaborative, non-confrontational style to strengthen personal motivation and commitment to goals.

Finding the best approach is part of the therapeutic process. Marva works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences and adjusts the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy with Marva is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility to fit work, family, and travel schedules. These options help make ongoing care more accessible and allow clients to engage in therapy from locations that work best for them.