Maria Alderman, LMSW

Maria Alderman, LMSW, helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and life changes. She works with concerns like trauma, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, body image and eating struggles, sleep problems, and ADHD. Her approach is direct and respectful. She aims to make starting therapy feel manageable for a worried parent or busy person.

Maria uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to find patterns that keep problems going and to try small, practical changes. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice what matters to them and act in line with those values. Client-centered work guides sessions so each person feels heard and shapes the pace and focus.

Sessions are tailored to the individual. Conversations focus on what is most urgent, then build simple tools to help between sessions. She prefers clear language and concrete steps rather than jargon. Progress is tracked in ways that make sense for each person.

Maria has worked in the field for six years and holds a Master of Social Work license in Michigan. That background informs how she balances emotional support with actionable strategies. She respects diverse identities, including people in the LGBT community, and addresses a wide range of life and health-related stresses.

When you reach out, the first sessions explore immediate concerns and practical goals. From there she collaborates on a plan that fits daily life and parenting demands. The aim is steady, workable change rather than quick fixes.

How therapy approaches work online

Maria commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in her online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions interact and uses practical exercises to test new ways of responding to stress, anxiety, or mood problems. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify what matters to them and take small actions toward those values even when difficult feelings are present.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. She will talk with each person about goals, daily routines, and what feels most useful. Together they decide whether to focus on skill-building from CBT, values-based work from ACT, or a client-centered blend that follows the person's lead.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video sessions work well for deeper conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in fits a break at work. Live chat or messaging can help people track progress, ask quick questions, or check in between appointments. These options make it easier to fit therapy into family life, work schedules, and other commitments.