Maria Collar
I am a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor based in Florida, providing therapy in English and Spanish. I have eight years of counseling experience and almost three years as a licensed therapist. I specialize in treating anxiety disorders. My clinical interests include neuro-affirming care, chronic stress, traumatic stress, wellness, and health psychology. I also support clients experiencing transitions, family conflict, and relationship challenges. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, strengths-based, neuro-affirming, and neuro-informed. I draw from CBT, positive psychology, mindfulness, and solution-focused approaches to help clients recognize their strengths, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful changes that support their well-being. I specialize in treating anxiety disorders.
Clients often describe me as charismatic and value my collaborative approach to therapy, where we work together to identify meaningful therapeutic goals.
First session
During the first session, clients will have an opportunity to share what brought them to therapy, discuss their concerns, and identify what they hope to achieve. We will begin exploring their strengths, needs, experiences, and current sources of stress. Together, we will develop initial goals and discuss therapeutic approaches that support their individual needs, comfort, and preferences.
Strengths
I’ve worked across a wide range of settings, including schools, community programs, mental health agencies, and telehealth platforms, which has given me a broad perspective on the unique challenges people face in different stages of life. My approach is warm, client-centered, and neuro-informed. Clients often describe me as charismatic and value my collaborative approach to therapy, where we work together to identify meaningful therapeutic goals. Building strong rapport is central to my work as we explore effective ways to reduce symptoms. Therapy is a shared process grounded in mutual respect, openness, and a common intention to support your well-being.
Ideal clients
My ideal client may be experiencing anxiety, chronic stress, ADHD, relationship concerns, or difficult transitions. They are interested in understanding their emotional patterns, developing calming and cognitive coping skills, and improving daily functioning. I welcome clients seeking a collaborative, compassionate, strengths-based, neuro-affirming space where they can build confidence, improve communication, and work toward meaningful goals at their own comfortable pace.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help clients recognize connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thought patterns, explore alternative perspectives, and develop practical cognitive and behavioral coping skills to reduce anxiety, mitigate stress, and improve emotional well-being.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate DBT skills to help clients strengthen emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. I support clients in developing practical strategies to manage intense emotions, improve communication, set healthy boundaries, and respond to stressful situations more effectively.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing to help clients explore their goals, values, strengths, and readiness for change. Through a collaborative and nonjudgmental approach, I support clients in identifying barriers, resolving ambivalence, strengthening motivation, and developing achievable steps toward meaningful change.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- FloridaLicense MH23430
- South CarolinaLicense TLC 1759 PC