- Practical action plans
- Respectful listening
- Client guided work
About Maria
Maria Smartt is a licensed social worker practicing in Michigan and Ohio with 11 years of professional experience. She uses a straightforward, respectful approach and matches conversations to each person's needs. Maria focuses on building a practical plan people can follow between sessions.
Her work often centers on stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. She also helps with trauma and abuse, addiction concerns, and anger. Parenting challenges, relationship strain, and LGBT issues appear regularly in her caseload. She lists adoption and foster care and veteran and armed forces issues as additional focus areas.
Maria draws on Client-Centered Therapy to keep sessions grounded in the client's priorities. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot patterns that cause distress and to try different behaviors. Motivational Interviewing is used when people are unsure about change and need help finding their own reasons to move forward.
Sessions are tailored to what feels most useful for each person. Maria aims to make the work practical and doable rather than overwhelming. She treats people with respect and compassion while helping them take concrete steps toward goals.
Taking the first step can feel hard. Maria offers a steady, nonjudgmental presence to help people talk things through and plan next steps.
How these approaches shape online therapy
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the client's lead to identify what matters most. It helps people who need a space to sort priorities and make decisions at their own pace.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and tests new ways of responding. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems.
Motivational Interviewing helps when someone feels unsure about change by exploring their own reasons and goals. It can make starting and sticking with new habits feel more manageable.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose and adjust methods based on their goals, needs, and preferences. That means trying different techniques and checking what actually helps.
Practical benefits of online sessions include fitting therapy into a busy schedule and keeping appointments that might otherwise be hard to attend. If you prefer fewer visual demands, phone-style check-ins can make shorter appointments easier. Because the biography does not specify which session formats are offered, confirm current options before booking so you know what to expect and can pick what fits your routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
11+ years
Credentials
Ohio, Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Maria help with?
She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma and abuse, addictions, anger, and relationship concerns. Adoption and foster care and veteran and armed forces issues are also noted focus areas.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is practical and client-centered, with an emphasis on respectful listening and tailoring conversations to individual needs. Sessions focus on steps people can take between meetings.
How much experience does she have?
Maria has 11 years of professional work experience as a licensed social worker in Michigan and Ohio.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds LMSW and LISW credentials and practices in Michigan while also holding licensure in Ohio.
Which languages are supported and can international clients work together?
Sessions are offered in English. She does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify session formats, so please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.