Maria O'Donnell, LCSW - Therapist in Florida

About Maria

Maria O'Donnell is a licensed social worker who focuses on family and parenting concerns along with stress, anxiety, relationships, trauma and abuse, and self-esteem. She holds an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - and she brings three years of practice in Florida. Maria approaches clients with plainspoken encouragement and respect for each person’s strengths.

She acknowledges that starting therapy takes courage and offers steady support for that first step.

Background and approach

Her sessions are collaborative and down-to-earth. She listens first, then helps clients identify small changes they can try between meetings. Treatment methods include evidence-based tools from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, plus acceptance and commitment strategies to reduce struggle with difficult thoughts.

Motivational interviewing helps when someone feels stuck and wants to move forward. Maria pays attention to how past hurt shows up now. She uses trauma-focused techniques when relevant and helps people work through shame, guilt, or attachment concerns.

Practical skills for managing panic or anxiety are taught alongside gentle exploration of painful experiences. Work with her often includes coaching-style guidance to build confidence and clearer goals. She also addresses topics such as codependency, control issues, forgiveness, and life purpose.

The tone in sessions is respectful and strengths-based, aiming to make real-life changes feel possible. Sessions are offered in English and take place via online formats that fit busy schedules. Maria supports clients from a stance of partnership, helping them shape a plan that fits their needs and pace.

Approaches that translate well to online care

Maria uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is practical and often focuses on small experiments and skills that can be tried between sessions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people make room for difficult feelings while moving toward what matters to them. It emphasizes values-based action rather than trying to control every feeling.

She also draws on client-centered therapy to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where clients steer the conversation. That collaborative stance helps clients and the therapist decide together which methods fit best for the person and their goals. Figuring out the right mix of approaches is part of the work and is adjusted as needs change.

Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text messaging to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access sessions from home, on a break, or between other responsibilities. The variety of options also allows people to try different ways of communicating until they find what works best.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Maria address?

She focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, coaching, family, and parenting. Additional areas include attachment issues, codependency, control issues, and women's issues.

How would she describe her therapy style?

Her approach is collaborative and straightforward. She listens first, then offers practical tools and gentle coaching to help clients make small, manageable changes.

What kind of clinical background does she have?

Maria has three years of professional experience working in Florida. Her work blends trauma-focused methods with CBT, mindfulness, ACT, and motivational interviewing.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker, licensed in Florida with licence number FL LCSW SW19776. Her practice is based in Florida.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Therapy is delivered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Clients can choose the format that fits their routine.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and the therapist's availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 3 years
Licensed: Florida
Languages: English

Next step

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