Maria Ward, LMFT
Compassionate California LMFT for trauma and families
- Bilingual English Spanish
- Trauma-focused care
- Collaborative strengths-based approach
About Maria Ward
Maria Ward is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 13 years of clinical experience in California. She holds an LMFT credential - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - and brings focused training in trauma treatment, including certification in the Trauma Focus modality. Over the course of her career she has supported people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, as well as concerns related to parenting, anger management, depression and mood shifts. She also addresses challenges in interpersonal relationships and provides care for individuals contending with addictions.
Maria approaches therapy from a strengths-based, collaborative stance, believing that each person is the expert in their own story. She offers practical tools and skills while listening and working alongside clients to identify goals and make sustainable changes. Her practice emphasizes partnership and skill-building so clients can manage life transitions and emotional difficulties more effectively.
Available in both English and Spanish, Maria encourages those who are contemplating therapy to recognize the courage in taking a first step. She aims to create a supportive environment, to collaborate on treatment plans, and to guide clients as they develop resilience and reach their objectives.
Maria approaches therapy from a strengths-based, collaborative stance, believing that each person is the expert in their own story. She offers practical tools and skills while listening and working alongside clients to identify goals and make sustainable changes. Her practice emphasizes partnership and skill-building so clients can manage life transitions and emotional difficulties more effectively.
Available in both English and Spanish, Maria encourages those who are contemplating therapy to recognize the courage in taking a first step. She aims to create a supportive environment, to collaborate on treatment plans, and to guide clients as they develop resilience and reach their objectives.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSelf-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Gottman Method Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Maria Ward have?
Maria Ward has 13 years of professional experience.
Is Maria Ward a licensed therapist?
Yes. Maria Ward holds the LMFT credential, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Her license is CA LMFT 98143.
In which languages does Maria Ward provide therapy?
Maria provides therapy in English and Spanish.
Where is Maria Ward located?
Maria is located in California.
How can I work with Maria Ward as my therapist?
You can work with Maria through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Maria Ward work with international clients?
Yes. Maria works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Maria Ward cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and Maria's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current pricing and details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with Maria. Depending on her availability, you can then schedule your first session by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Maria draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy to guide her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values, accept difficult thoughts and emotions, and commit to actions that align with what matters most - it is useful for stress, anxiety and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape current patterns of closeness and trust, and it can be especially helpful for relationship difficulties, attachment concerns and family dynamics.Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Maria treats that choice as a collaborative effort. She will discuss different methods, consider the client’s goals and preferences, and adapt the approach over time so therapy fits the person’s needs.
Online therapy with Maria is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to provide flexibility and easier access to consistent care. These options make it possible to schedule sessions around work, family and daily responsibilities, and to maintain momentum between appointments with brief check-ins or messages when helpful.