Maria Ward, LMFT
Compassionate California LMFT for life transitions
- Empathetic relational care
- Trauma and mood support
- Bilingual English Spanish
About Maria Ward
Maria Ward is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California who draws on more than a decade of clinical experience to support people through complex emotional challenges. She combines evidence-based methods with a deeply empathetic, person-centered stance to help clients manage depression, anxiety, trauma, and the transitions that life brings.
Maria emphasizes culturally responsive care and honors each individual's background and life story. Her work focuses on building self-compassion, improving communication, strengthening social connections, and fostering personal growth. She approaches therapy with acceptance and unconditional regard, meeting clients where they are and tailoring support to their unique needs.
Her therapeutic style integrates practical strategies to develop resilience, process past wounds, and create sustainable coping skills. Whether addressing mood disorders, relationship patterns, or major life changes, Maria partners with clients to explore their experiences and reconnect with their strengths. Her aim is to create an affirming space where people can validate their realities, integrate postponed experiences, and move toward greater empowerment and well-being.
Maria emphasizes culturally responsive care and honors each individual's background and life story. Her work focuses on building self-compassion, improving communication, strengthening social connections, and fostering personal growth. She approaches therapy with acceptance and unconditional regard, meeting clients where they are and tailoring support to their unique needs.
Her therapeutic style integrates practical strategies to develop resilience, process past wounds, and create sustainable coping skills. Whether addressing mood disorders, relationship patterns, or major life changes, Maria partners with clients to explore their experiences and reconnect with their strengths. Her aim is to create an affirming space where people can validate their realities, integrate postponed experiences, and move toward greater empowerment and well-being.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSelf-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Gottman Method Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Maria Ward have?
Maria Ward has 13 years of clinical experience.
Is Maria Ward a licensed therapist?
Yes. She is an LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. License details: CA LMFT 98143.
In which languages does Maria Ward provide therapy?
Maria Ward provides therapy in English and Spanish.
Where is Maria Ward located?
Maria Ward is located in California.
How can I work with Maria Ward as my therapist?
You can work with Maria Ward through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Please note that she is not currently accepting new clients.
Does Maria Ward work with international clients?
Yes, Maria Ward works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Maria Ward cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging. Please be aware that Maria Ward is not currently accepting new clients.
Evidence-Informed Approaches and Flexible Online Care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify their values and take meaningful action while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings. It is often useful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions where creating a values-driven life matters.Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on understanding patterns in relationships that stem from early bonds and attachment experiences. It can help people improve connection, repair relational wounds, and address intimacy or family dynamics.
Client-Centered Therapy places the client's experience at the center, using empathy, active listening, and nonjudgmental support to foster self-awareness and personal growth. It is a helpful approach for building self-esteem, navigating grief, and exploring life goals.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Maria collaborates with each person to identify what fits their needs, goals, and preferences. She and the client explore techniques and adapt strategies so therapy feels relevant and practical.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be arranged as video calls, phone conversations, live chat, or ongoing text-based messaging. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from different locations, fit sessions into busy schedules, and maintain continuity of care during life changes.