Maria Gimenez-Cruz, LCSW

Maria Gimenez-Cruz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida who helps people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and life transitions. She works with adults on problems like low self-esteem, sleep issues, grief, parenting strain, and relationship tensions. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

With nine years of experience, Maria focuses on building a practical, collaborative relationship. She listens first, then helps clients identify strengths and small steps to manage symptoms. Her aim is to help people reconnect with inner resources and handle daily challenges more effectively.

Maria blends several hands-on approaches. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to spot and change unhelpful thinking and behavior. Client-Centered Therapy keeps the conversation grounded in the client’s goals and values. Mindfulness techniques help reduce reactivity and improve focus.

She also draws on Narrative Therapy to rethink personal stories and Motivational Interviewing to strengthen commitment to change. Together these methods shape practical plans that fit each person’s life and pace.

Maria describes therapy as a team effort where she and the client problem-solve and practice tools between sessions. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and a caring stance while tailoring the work to each person’s needs. If someone is ready to make changes, she supports them through that process.

How her approaches shape online therapy

Maria commonly uses Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, validating feelings, and shaping goals that matter to the client. It helps when someone needs a supportive space to sort through emotions and decide on next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and teaches practical skills to change them, which is useful for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Maria treats therapy as a collaborative process and will help clients try approaches and adapt them based on needs and preferences. Together they decide which techniques to use and how fast to move.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week and cut down travel time. It can also allow for shorter check-ins when that fits a schedule, or reduce the need to be on camera if that makes someone more comfortable. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT and client-centered methods to an online setting so the same practical skills and reflective conversation continue to guide progress.