Hello, I'm Maria Christian, and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Orange County, California. Are you struggling with depression, anxiety, life stressors, or health challenges? Are you finding it difficult to navigate major transitions or cope with grief? You don't have to face it alone. I work with adults who are experiencing these struggles and want to create meaningful change in their lives. I use a combination of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Emotional Freedom Technique.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, we will briefly introduce ourselves, I will review pros/cons of engaging in psychotherapy and confidentiality, as well as no-show or late cancellation policies. From there, I will obtain more information about what brings you to therapy, review your symptoms, provide a diagnosis that we will discuss together, and gather your history to better inform your treatment plan. We will set initial goals for therapy that will typically involve putting coping strategies to get you feeling better sooner.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I believe the most important part of therapy is building a strong, trusting relationship with my clients, where you feel truly heard, understood, and supported. Through this connection, we can work together to explore coping strategies, address the root of your challenges, and help you regain a sense of balance and well-being. What sets my practice apart is my commitment to making therapy a positive, enjoyable experience whenever possible. I understand how challenging it can be to seek help, as I’ve been in your shoes before. My own journey as a client has fueled my passion for supporting others, and I aim to make your path to healing both effective and even a little fun.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I work with adults who have decided to engage in therapy to find support and coping strategies to improve their symptoms, and overall wellbeing.
About Maria Christian
Specializes in
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps clients identify negative thought patterns, how to challenge those thoughts, introduces behavioral techniques such as cognitive restructuring, developing coping skills, setting goals and monitoring progress, and provides empowerment and increased self-efficacy. Our thoughts influence our emotions and behavior.
Attachment-based
Attachment-Based Therapy is used to understand client's early relationships and attachment experiences that may have significantly influenced emotional development and interpersonal patterns throughout life.
Compassion Focused
Compassion Focused Therapy is an approach that combines principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with techniques aimed at cultivating self-compassion and addressing emotional suffering. Compassion Focused Therapy helps clients understand and manage shame, self-criticism, and emotional distress by fostering a compassionate mindset towards themselves and others.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy helps individuals manage intense emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and develop skills for coping with distress. The core concept of DBT is "dialectics," the idea that two opposing ideas can coexist, such as accepting oneself while also striving for change. This balance of acceptance and change helps clients find harmony in managing their emotions and behaviors.
Grief Therapy
Grief Therapy is used to support clients who are navigating the complex emotions and challenges that come with loss. This helps clients process their grief, understand their emotions, and develop strategies for healing.