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MC Portrait of Maria Caruso

Maria Caruso

Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions

LPC New Jersey

Experience
20 years in practice
Focus areas
Relationship, Family, Grief
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Maria

About Maria

Maria Caruso is an LPC with two decades of clinical experience working across individual, couples, family, and group settings.

Background and approach

She has supported people through major life transitions, career challenges, relationship strain, grief connected to serious illness and loss, and a range of emotional concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma. Based in New Jersey, she combines practical strategies with empathic listening to help clients identify workable steps forward.

Her style blends evidence-informed methods with a client-centered sensibility, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside narrative and psychodynamic elements when they suit a person’s needs. Maria often incorporates tools such as journaling, brief therapeutic contracts, and creative exercises to surface issues that may be difficult to put into words.

She aims to create a collaborative process focused on problem solving, emotional processing, and building skills for coping and connection. Maria’s practice also attends to caregiving stress, end-of-life and hospice concerns, adoption and attachment-related questions, and issues around intimacy, parenting, and codependency.

Through a pragmatic yet warm approach she helps clients explore meaning, set realistic goals, and develop clearer pathways through change.

Approaches that guide online sessions and what they offer

Maria commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts and develop concrete coping strategies for anxiety, depression, stress, and behavior change. She also relies on Client-Centered Therapy to create a supportive, empathic space where clients’ own goals and values shape the work. Narrative Therapy is sometimes drawn upon to help clients reframe their life stories and separate a person’s identity from the problems they face.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and she works collaboratively with each client to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences. Together they establish priorities and adapt techniques as progress and insight emerge.

Online sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for people juggling work, caregiving, health concerns, or travel. These options make it easier to attend regularly, try different formats to suit a situation, and maintain continuity of care when life circumstances change.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Maria address?
She works with a broad range of issues including relationships, family dynamics, grief, career challenges, depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, trauma, intimacy concerns, parenting, anger, and self-esteem.
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
Her practice is client-centered and integrative, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside narrative and psychodynamic techniques to tailor sessions to each person’s needs.
How much experience does she bring to therapy?
She has 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups across clinical and corporate settings.
Where is she licensed and how is she credentialed?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in New Jersey with license number NJ LPC 37PC00304300.
Does she work with clients who live outside the United States?
Yes, she accepts international clients and provides services in English.
Which session formats are available?
Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How are fees handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a session based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefCareer difficultiesDepression

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDivorce and separationFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityLife purposeMoney and financial issuesWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Narrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

New Jersey

Languages

English