Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto, LCSW

Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto brings two decades of experience to her work with individuals across the lifespan, from young adults to senior citizens, in settings that include hospitals, health centers, and private agencies. She earned a master’s degree from California State University, Fresno in 1993 and completed an undergraduate major in clinical psychology, later completing training that led to her LCSW credential. LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a professional qualification that prepares her to address complex emotional and relational concerns.

Raised with fluency in both Spanish and English and shaped by Colombian and U.S. cultural influences, she is able to relate openly to clients from diverse backgrounds. Her therapeutic stance is client centered and goal oriented, blending practical, hands-on methods with a humanistic perspective. She draws principally on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Systems Theory, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and humanistic approaches to help clients build steady routines, learn self-regulation skills, and open new pathways toward greater wellbeing.

Her work emphasizes validation, empathy, active listening, and reflection in a nonjudgmental atmosphere, and she frames therapy as a collaborative effort to identify realistic goals and develop effective coping strategies. Maria Clara invites individuals to take a first step toward change and considers it an honor to support clients in becoming the best versions of themselves.