Maria Gimenez-Cruz, LCSW

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Compassionate therapy focused on practical change

Details

Name	Maria Gimenez-Cruz
Credentials	LCSW
Based in	Florida
Licensed in	Florida
Session format	Online
Languages	English, Spanish
Years in practice	9

About Maria

Maria Gimenez-Cruz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who focuses on helping people find practical ways forward when life feels overwhelming. She speaks English and Spanish and offers brief, direct sessions that aim to build everyday coping skills. Her style is warm and straightforward, and she emphasizes clear steps people can use between sessions.

With nine years of experience, Maria draws on several approaches to match each person's needs.

Background and approach

She uses Narrative Therapy to help people reframe difficult stories about themselves. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is used to spot unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes. Client-Centered techniques shape a respectful, nonjudgmental space where a person’s concerns guide the work.

Maria also uses mindfulness practices and motivational interviewing to support changes people want to make. Those methods can help with stress, anxiety, sleep problems, anger, and low self-esteem. She pays attention to trauma, grief, and challenges related to relationships and parenting, and adapts the pace based on what feels manageable.

Sessions are practical and collaborative. Maria helps identify strengths, set short-term goals, and practice tools between meetings. She aims to make therapy something that fits into real life rather than a list of tasks.

People in Florida can meet with her by video or phone, or use live chat and text messaging options. Her work is oriented to steady progress, with a focus on clear, achievable steps.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem among the things Maria works with, alongside the areas below.

Stress, Anxiety
Trauma and abuse
Self esteem
ADHD
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Grief
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Anger management
Depression
Coping with life changes
Compassion fatigue
Abandonment
Attachment issues
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Divorce and separation
Forgiveness
Guilt and shame
Immigration issues
Post-traumatic stress
Social anxiety and phobia
Somatization

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Maria directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Maria directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How her approaches work in online sessions

Maria uses Narrative Therapy to help people tell a clearer, kinder story about what happened to them and what they want next. That work often helps when issues involve identity, attachment, or painful events that shape how someone sees themselves.

She also uses Client-Centered Therapy, which puts the person’s perspective at the center of each session. The therapist listens closely, follows the client’s lead, and adapts pace and goals to match what feels right in the moment.

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is another common tool she uses to identify unhelpful thoughts and test small behavior changes. CBT is useful for anxiety, low mood, sleep problems, and everyday patterns that people want to shift.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Maria collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and comfort level. That means checking in and adjusting the plan as work progresses rather than sticking to one set method.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow focused face-to-face conversation, phone sessions work when video isn’t possible, and live chat or text-based messaging can be useful for shorter check-ins or quick skill practice. These options help people fit sessions into busy schedules, manage lower-bandwidth connections, or use a brief check-in during a break.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of concerns does she help people with?

Maria works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, sleep problems, anger, and parenting challenges. She also addresses relationship difficulties, ADHD, and coping with life changes.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her work is collaborative and practical. Sessions focus on identifying strengths, setting achievable goals, and practicing tools that people can use between meetings.

What is her experience and background?

She has nine years of clinical experience and has supported people with a wide range of emotional and life concerns. Her approach blends several therapy methods to match individual needs.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in Florida. Her practice is based in Florida.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

What session formats are available?

People can meet by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their preference.

How are costs and billing handled?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Maria are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Maria where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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