Maria Gimenez-Cruz, LCSW

Maria Gimenez-Cruz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Florida with nine years of clinical experience. She works with individuals, couples, and families in both English and Spanish, offering care for a broad range of life challenges.

She supports people facing anxiety, stress, depression, mood disorders, relationship difficulties, parenting concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep problems, ADHD, low self-esteem, anger, and coping with life changes. Her additional focus includes issues such as attachment and abandonment, immigration-related stress, post-traumatic stress, and somatization. Maria brings experience addressing both acute crises and longer term adjustment struggles.

Her work emphasizes building a collaborative therapeutic relationship in which strengths are identified and practical tools are practiced. She draws on cognitive-behavioral techniques and client-centered, interpersonal, and strength-based methods to tailor conversations and treatment plans to each person’s needs. The goal is to help clients develop age-appropriate skills, access internal resources, and move through challenges with greater confidence.

Maria approaches therapy with genuine care, respect, and sensitivity. She aims to make people feel understood and supported while guiding them toward meaningful change and greater resilience.

Client-centered and CBT methods for online support

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the therapist follows the client’s lead and helps them explore their feelings and values. It is useful for building self-understanding, strengthening self-esteem, and navigating relationship or life transition concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and practice practical strategies to change them. CBT is commonly used for anxiety, depression, stress management, sleep difficulties, and improving coping skills.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and grounding techniques to reduce reactivity and improve emotional regulation. It can be helpful for managing stress, trauma-related symptoms, and problems with attention or sleep.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Maria Gimenez-Cruz works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting goals and techniques as progress is made.

Online therapy with a licensed professional like Maria offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call or phone, and some work can continue via live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule regular support, maintain continuity through life changes, and access care from locations that work best for each person.