PuttingFamilyFirst

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MR Portrait of Maria Russo
Online therapist

Maria Russo

Compassionate, practical therapy for real-life challenges

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Credentials
LCSW, CSW
Experience
25 years
Licensed in
Colorado
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Maria

Maria Russo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Colorado with 25 years of experience. She draws on a master's degree in social work and long practice to help people navigate stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. She writes plainly and works to create a calm, direct space where practical steps matter as much as insight.

Her approach is grounded in clear, hands-on work. Sessions typically focus on identifying what keeps someone stuck and building skills to cope and make changes.

Background and approach

Maria uses methods such as cognitive behavioral work to shift unhelpful thoughts and client-centered listening to help clients feel heard. Many people come for help with relationship strain, parenting questions, or problems tied to past trauma. She also supports those dealing with addiction, communication problems, family difficulties, and issues around self-esteem and intimacy.

The goal is steady progress rather than quick fixes. Maria emphasizes practical tools alongside personal understanding. She helps clients learn new ways to solve problems, manage anger, and move through grief.

Motivational interviewing and narrative techniques are used when helpful to clarify values and rewrite old patterns. Sessions are offered in English and delivered through flexible online formats. Getting started is straightforward: complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first appointment.

Maria aims to make the work understandable and focused on next steps a worried parent or busy adult can use right away.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Client-Centered Therapy is about being heard and respected. In this approach the therapist listens without judgment and follows the client's pace, which can help with low self-esteem, grief, and relationship concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is practical and often used for anxiety, depression, anger, and coping with life changes.

Motivational Interviewing helps people find their own reasons to change. It is short-term and useful when someone feels stuck with patterns like addiction or avoidance.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they pick methods and adjust them over time so the work fits the person's life and priorities.

Online therapy offers flexibility for busy families and individuals. Video calls let the conversation feel most like an in-person session, while phone, live chat, and text messaging give options for shorter check-ins or when schedules are tight. These formats make regular, steady progress easier to maintain and let people get help without long travel or time off work.

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.

Existential Therapy

Takes the larger questions seriously: meaning, choice, mortality, responsibility. Suited to periods when the difficulty is less a symptom than a sense that something has to change.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, parenting concerns, relationship and family problems, self-esteem, anger, and related issues such as communication problems and codependency.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style combines client-centered listening with practical techniques. She uses clear guidance, skill teaching, and compassionate conversation to help people make changes.
How much experience does she bring?
She has 25 years of experience as a clinician working with a wide range of challenges including trauma, addiction, grief, and family difficulties.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and CSW with license CO LCSW CSW.00000833 and practices from Colorado.
In which language are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on the chosen format.
How are costs and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
25 years
Licensed
Colorado
Languages
English

Next step

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