Maria Gimenez-Cruz

LCSW

Florida

Compassionate therapist focused on practical change

Continue with Maria

At a glance

Credentials

LCSW

License

LCSW, Florida / SW16383

NPI

1497122451

Experience

9 years

Languages

English, Spanish

Location

Florida

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

1. • Strengths-based
   • Bilingual English Spanish
   • Motivational approach

   About Maria

   Maria Gimenez-Cruz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. She speaks English and Spanish and aims to build a respectful, caring relationship so clients feel seen and supported. Her style is collaborative and practical, focused on finding strengths people can use right away.

   With nine years of experience, she draws on several therapy approaches to match a person’s needs. Sessions emphasize identifying strengths, learning skills, and practicing tools for everyday life. Maria often uses cognitive-behavioral ideas to spot unhelpful thoughts, client-centered listening to follow what matters most, and motivational techniques to help sustain change.

   She also works with trauma, grief, relationship struggles, parenting strain, sleep problems, and compassion fatigue. Additional focuses include attachment and abandonment issues, immigration-related stress, post-traumatic stress, and coping after disasters. Maria pays attention to how emotional pain shows up in the body and daily routines, and she helps people create manageable steps forward.

   Her sessions aim to be down-to-earth and respectful. She avoids jargon and explains tools in clear language so people can try them between meetings. Maria partners with each person to set goals and track progress at a pace that fits their life.

   If someone is ready to begin, the recommended starting step is to use the platform’s Start Therapy flow to complete the matching questionnaire and schedule a first appointment.

2. How specific approaches translate to online work

   Motivational Interviewing is a conversational method that helps people find their own reasons to change. It focuses on gentle questions and reflective listening to build motivation for steps like improving sleep, reducing anxiety, or making relationship changes.
   
   Client-Centered Therapy centers on validating the person’s experience and following their priorities. This approach helps when someone needs space to talk through feelings and to feel understood before trying new strategies.
   
   Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts influence feelings and behavior. It offers clear tools for shifting unhelpful thinking patterns and testing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety, depression, or anger.
   
   Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals and preferences. That choice can change over time as needs evolve and progress is tracked.
   
   Confirm current session options before booking, since formats are not specified here. Online sessions can help fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, and making it easier to keep regular appointments around work or caregiving. Discussing practical needs at the first meeting helps tailor session length and pacing to everyday life.

4. Areas of expertise

   Primary focus

   Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemADHD

   Also works with

   Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

   Additional focus areas

   AbandonmentAttachment issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationForgivenessGuilt and shameImmigration issuesPost-traumatic stressSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatization

   Therapeutic approaches

   Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

   Experience

   9+ years

   Listed in

   Florida

   Languages

   English, Spanish

5. Frequently asked questions

   What concerns does Maria help with?

   She supports people managing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship and parenting challenges, sleep problems, anger, and compassion fatigue, plus related issues such as attachment, abandonment, immigration stress, and post-traumatic stress.

   What is her therapeutic style?

   Her style is collaborative and practical. She uses client-centered listening, motivational interviewing techniques, and cognitive-behavioral strategies to set goals and practice skills.

   How much clinical experience does she have?

   She has nine years of clinical experience working with people on a wide range of emotional and life challenges.

   What credentials and location are listed?

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

   Which languages are supported for sessions?

   Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

   Are international clients accepted?

   International clients are not currently accepted.

   How are sessions priced?

   Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

   How do I begin working with her?

   Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

6. Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

Back to all therapists