Maritza Villacis

Practical, compassionate therapy for life’s challenges

LCSW New York

Experience: 15 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Languages: English, Spanish

About Maritza

Maritza Villacis welcomes people seeking practical, compassionate support for stress, anxiety, grief, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, addiction-related struggles, and a wide range of life changes. She aims to build a straightforward, human connection so clients feel heard and understood rather than lectured.

Background and approach

Maritza uses plainspoken language and a warm presence to help clients explore coping strategies and make sense of difficult experiences. With an LCSW and 15 years of professional experience, Maritza draws on a mix of evidence-informed methods, including cognitive behavioral approaches, mindfulness practices, emotionally focused ideas, motivational interviewing, and narrative techniques.

Her background includes work with survivors of domestic violence, people in shelter placements, seniors, and children prior to licensure, and she emphasizes flexibility when arranging sessions. Maritza offers services in English and Spanish and frames counseling as a collaborative process in which commitment and effort support meaningful change.

How evidence-informed approaches translate to online care

Maritza often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and coping with life changes. She also incorporates Emotionally-Focused Therapy ideas to explore and strengthen emotional awareness and connection in close relationships, and uses Mindfulness Therapy techniques to build present-moment awareness and stress reduction skills.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. Maritza works with each person to clarify goals, preferences, and practical needs, then adapts methods so they fit the client’s situation rather than prescribing one fixed path. This allows for a tailored plan that evolves as progress is made.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats can make it easier to maintain regular sessions, practice new skills between meetings, and access care from home or work while coordinating around other responsibilities.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

Areas of focus include stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting and family problems, sleep difficulties, career challenges, and compassion fatigue.

What kind of therapeutic style can I expect?

The approach is grounded in practical, evidence-informed methods with an emphasis on connection and straightforward language; Maritza integrates cognitive behavioral ideas, mindfulness, emotionally focused concepts, motivational interviewing, and narrative techniques.

How much clinical experience does this provider have?

Maritza brings 15 years of clinical experience and many additional years working in counseling roles prior to licensure, including work with domestic violence survivors, people in shelter placements, seniors, and children.

Where is the therapist licensed and based?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in New York and holds license number NY LCSW 088011.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Therapy is offered in English and Spanish; international clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are offered for remote care?

Available session formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes Compassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsForgivenessIsolation / lonelinessVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMulticultural concernsSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English, Spanish