Maritza Villacis
Practical, warm therapy for everyday struggles
LCSW New York
- Experience
- 15 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
- Approaches
- Gottman Method, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Languages
- English, Spanish
About Maritza
Maritza Villacis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New York who helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and relationship concerns. She works with individuals facing trauma, addictions, identity questions, parenting strain, sleep problems, and career or life changes.
Background and approach
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish. Maritza brings 15 years of clinical experience to her work.
She aims to create a simple, down-to-earth space where people can talk honestly without jargon. She listens for what matters most and helps clients find concrete steps they can try between sessions.
Her approach blends practical tools and emotional understanding. Maritza uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
She also draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help people name and shift difficult emotions, and the Gottman Method to address communication and connection issues in relationships. Mindfulness techniques and motivational interviewing are part of her toolbox when clients want stress reduction or help making changes.
She also uses narrative and supportive approaches to help people make sense of painful events and build coping strategies. Maritza encourages collaboration on goals and plans treatment around each person’s needs.
She communicates promptly and aims to be flexible when scheduling. If someone prefers phone, video, live chat, or text-based messaging, those formats are available to fit different routines and comfort levels.
How therapy approaches translate to online care
Maritza often uses the Gottman Method to help people notice and change interaction patterns and improve communication and connection. This approach focuses on practical communication skills and managing conflict more constructively.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce anxiety and depression through specific exercises and practice. Emotionally-Focused Therapy is part of her work when the focus is on understanding strong feelings and reshaping how people respond to one another.
Choosing the right approach is collaborative. Maritza will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, then tailor techniques that fit their needs. She checks in on what works and adjusts plans as progress happens.
Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video is helpful for longer conversations and visual cues, while phone calls can fit a break at work or require less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging are useful for shorter check-ins, ongoing support between calls, or when someone prefers writing things out. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around busy schedules.
Frequently asked questions
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Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Licensed in
New York
Languages
English, Spanish