I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois. I obtained my MSW from DePaul University in 2011. I been practicing social work for more than 10 years in different settings (e.g. healthcare, domestic violence, elderly population and currently in a school setting the past 4 years). I help individuals who struggle with advocating for themselves, who are stuck in conflict with others and who need positive feedback and learn how to cope with different emotions.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we would do introductions and dig deep on what brought the client to seek therapy. We would collaborate together to see what is the root to the problem and recognize that it can take time to build rapport with me .
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I believe one of my strength as a therapist is my ability to build trusting and empathetic relationships with both adolescents and adults. I have patience and tend to practice active listening without judgement. I recognized during last school year, I built this safe space for my students to openly express themselves when they faced struggles in and out of school. During my years working with adults, I would use strength based techniques to help them with self-awareness and personal growth.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
For the past 4 years, I have worked with younger adolescents, I would love to work with the youth who are currently in middle school or high school that struggle with anxiety or peer conflict. Prior to working with this population, I did work with caregivers who were caring for their loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer. I will love to offer support to caregivers who are caring for someone with an illness. Finally, I will love to serve women who are dealing with infertility issues. As someone who have been through that personal journey, I will love to work with that population to help guide them thought the ups and downs of infertility.
About Maria Gomez-Czaja
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Strength-Based
I practice Strength Based Therapy during my whole social work career (towards patients going through cancer treatment, Domestic Violence victims, school social work setting, etc.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I tend to use CBT and Strength Based Therapy towards my students as a school social worker.
Grief Therapy
Working with people who have been impacted by Alzheimer's have given me 9-10 years of grief counseling.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
When I worked at Alzheimer's Association, I received training on how to deliver solution focused therapy for clients who were caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer's.