At first when I met my therapist I didn’t think it would work out or that she would not understand me but she does. She’s able to listen to my concerns and guide me through my issues without telling me what to do. Even though sometimes we may get off subject (Mainly because of me) I still enjoy our sessions. She’s communicates very well about her availabilities and lets me know when she will be on vacation and unavailable. I like her and want to continue seeing her. I even dont mind when we have sessions where there is nothing on my mind to talk about. When that happens she easily will find a topic where we need to discuss an issue but I may have been avoiding. So far she has met and exceeded some of my expectations of therapy.
Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Maria is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Maria. View 7 reviews
- Speaks English and Spanish
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Florida
Recent reviews
Has greatly helped me work on boundaries, expressing myself and many other things.
More about Maria
- 20 years' experience
- Female
- LCSW
Hello, in this post pandemic time, we want nothing more but to get back to normal. But in reality, everyone's life has been disrupted. Now there are good news!
We have learned to trust this method of communication (virtual) and mostly we have opened up about ourselves and our relationships. We now know that physical health and mental health go together.
Let me invite you in.
First I want to tell you about myself, I've worked for more than 20 years with clients, ranging from young adults to senior citizens in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, health centers and private agencies. I received my masters degree from California State University, Fresno in 1993 and have an undergraduate major in Clinical psychology.
I was educated since a very early age in both the Colombian culture in Spanish and the USA culture in English. This has been an advantage as I'm able to relate to people of various cultures openly. My final Master's degree as a Clinical Social Worker is the best way of using all my training, schooling and life experiences to assist you... in being the best version of yourself.
I describe my therapy framework as client centered and goal oriented. I mainly use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Systems Theory, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and an overall Humanistic theoretical model. These modalities are hands-on and offer practical approaches to finding solutions focused on building a grounded well- being for you. They're tools that provide ways of regulating yourself and show you how to open new pathways toward a more fulfilling experience.
CBT goals identify faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking/acting and offer effective ways of coping with life's stressors. I treat every client as a special individual, using validation, empathy, active listening and reflection, all in a non judge-mental setting.
I encourage you to take a first step as it soon becomes a supportive and trustworthy path.
Remember that I'm honored to work with you.
Maria Clara Pretto, LCSW
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Depression
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Parenting issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Coping with life changes
Coaching
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Abandonment
Adoption and foster care
Aging and geriatric issues
Blended family issues
Cancer
Caregiver issues and stress
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Dependent personality
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Eating and food-related issues
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
First responder issues
Forgiveness
Guilt and shame
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Immigration issues
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Midlife crisis
Mood disorders
Multicultural concerns
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Postpartum depression
Post-traumatic stress
Pregnancy and childbirth
Self-harm
Sexual assault and abuse
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues
Treatment Approaches
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Licenses
Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1699393405.
- LCSW · Florida · SW7853 · Expires March 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.
Reviews for Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
At first when I met my therapist I didn’t think it would work out or that she would not understand me but she does. She’s able to listen to my concerns and guide me through my issues without telling me what to do. Even though sometimes we may get off subject (Mainly because of me) I still enjoy our sessions. She’s communicates very well about her availabilities and lets me know when she will be on vacation and unavailable. I like her and want to continue seeing her. I even dont mind when we have sessions where there is nothing on my mind to talk about. When that happens she easily will find a topic where we need to discuss an issue but I may have been avoiding. So far she has met and exceeded some of my expectations of therapy.
Has greatly helped me work on boundaries, expressing myself and many other things.
Maria was exactly what I needed these last few months, she really understood the complexities of my current position and had thoughtful and interesting responses. She really did help me gain perspective and finish out this year on a better and stronger foot. I will always appreciate the time we had to speak. Thank you Maria!
Maria has been so understanding while also giving perspective. No matter how I feel going into a session, I end them feeling relieved and heard.
Very helpful. First time using these services.
Maria has been very understanding and makes my voice feel heard. I feel comfortable with sharing and feel confident with her.
Maria is empathetic, kind and insightful with a reassuring presence. I would recommend her, she is a supportive therapist
Frequently asked questions
Does Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto speak?
Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto speaks English and Spanish.
How many years of experience does Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto have?
Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto has 20 years of experience.
Where is Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto licensed to practice?
Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto is licensed to practice in Florida.
Does Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto accept clients outside of the United States?
Yes, Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto accepts clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto offer?
Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
How can I communicate with Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto?
Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.