Hello, and welcome. I'm Maria, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. I earned my master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lynn University and have spent the past several years working in both mental health and substance use treatment settings. I work with adults navigating depression, trauma, PTSD, psychotic disorders, grief, dissociation, and mood disorders. I know that reaching out for support takes courage. My role is to meet you exactly where you are with compassion, respect, and the belief in your capacity for growth.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we'll talk about what safety means to you, review any background or assessments you'd like to share, and begin exploring what brought you to therapy. I take time to understand you as a whole person, not just the problem/problems you're facing. From there, we collaborate on a plan that aligns with your goals, pace, and values. Remembering that the therapeutic process looks different for everyone.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I view every client as unique, with their own story, strengths, and challenges. I balance empathy and care with gentle challenges to help you grow. I draw from evidenced-based approaches while tailoring therapy to fit who you are and what you need. Some of my greatest strengths as a therapist include unconditional positive regard, the ability to challenge my client, while meeting the client where they are at, and to think existentially. Another strength that makes me unique would be my compassionate forthcoming nature. I see all clients as art: individualistic, one of a kind, with a story that shapes each piece. My clients often describe me as compassionate, accepting, and supportive, while also helping them challenge patterns that no longer serve them. Therapy with me is a collaborative process, you don't have to do this alone. If you are ready to embrace this journey, I am grateful for the chance to work with you.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I enjoy working with all walks of life. Each person is unique in their own ways, which creates a drive to understand each individual further. I work with adult clients who are processing trauma or loss, experiencing dissociation or identity fragmentation, managing depression or mood instability, seeking space to reflect, reconnect, and move forward at their own pace. Areas I have additional experience working in are clients with psychotic disorders, who feel challenged by everyday tasks as they feel out of touch with reality. I am best positioned to serve clients that are working towards contemplation stage of change; eager to adjust to the life of change.
About Maria Johnson
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Adlerian
I use Adlerian for early recollections of childhood experiences to correlate and better understand present obstacles a client is facing. I use techniques to challenge the clients' personal struggles to build personal skills for community and independence.
Trauma-Focused CBT
I use CBT to help clients understand maladaptive thoughts that contribute to maladaptive behaviors, resulting in identifying and changing ones past learned experiences. I also use CBT for anxiety, isolation, grief, addiction, and depression.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use DBT techniques to help clients go from a heightened state down to a cooler state. In moments where we feel powerless to our thoughts and behaviors, its important to show clients techniques that can stop maladaptive behaviors. I use this technique for OCD behaviors, self-harm, anger management, anxiety, to feel present, and more.
Narrative
Narrative therapy helps view one's life story as it is, "what we tell ourselves and others." Challenging the story, we tell ourselves and others, creates a new story about our life. This helps break old thought and behavioral patterns, to step into a new chapter of our life that alters awareness and positive change. This treatment method helps enhance one's imagination and see our individual worlds in a different light.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is used in my therapy practice to identify parts of ourselves that are there for certain reasons of protection. I use IFS in helping clients with PTSD, CPTSD, DID, schizophrenia disorders, anger management, and more.