Profile / United States
Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto, LCSW
Florida
LCSW - Stress and relationship concerns
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Client-centered focus
- English and Spanish
About Maria
Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida with 20 years of experience. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting strain, ADHD, anger, and career or life-change pressures. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish and she accepts international clients.
Her background includes work in hospitals, health centers, and private agencies. She earned a Master of Social Work from California State University, Fresno in 1993 after studying clinical psychology at the undergraduate level. That mix of clinical training and life experience informs her practical approach.
She describes her framework as client-centered and goal-oriented. Maria Clara commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and to try concrete alternative responses. She also draws on solution-focused work and dialectical behavior ideas to build skills for emotional regulation.
In sessions she focuses on specific, doable strategies. That might look like identifying a pattern that keeps returning, testing a new behavior, or practicing a short skill between meetings. She emphasizes clear steps and measurable goals rather than open-ended conversation.
Her style values listening, validation, and straightforward reflection. People who prefer structured, practical therapy that connects thoughts, feelings, and actions may find this approach helpful. To begin, users complete a matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the site.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Maria Clara commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce distress and improve functioning. Client-Centered Therapy prioritizes listening and reflection so the person feels understood while setting clear goals. DBT offers specific emotion-regulation and distress-tolerance skills useful for strong emotions and relationship stress.Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative step. She will work with each person to identify goals, try techniques, and adjust methods based on what is helping. That process means checking progress and selecting practical exercises that fit daily life.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a weekday break, avoid travel time, or use shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Expect focused sessions that emphasize skill practice, homework tasks, and brief reviews of progress between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Florida
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address most often?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting strain, anger, ADHD, career changes, and related concerns.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and goal-oriented, with an emphasis on practical skills and active listening.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of experience working in hospitals, health centers, and private agencies.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Florida and practices from that state.
Which languages are used in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as session formats are not specified in the biography.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.