Maria Russo

Compassionate guidance toward practical growth

LCSW, CSW Colorado

Experience: 25 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Maria

Maria Russo brings 25 years of clinical social work experience to her practice in Colorado, combining academic training in psychology and social work with extensive personal and professional insight into childhood trauma and long-term recovery.

Background and approach

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW, CSW), she guides clients through challenges such as depression, anxiety, grief, addictions, and relationship or family problems, helping them identify strengths and build practical coping skills.

Her approach centers on helping people move from surviving to thriving by addressing patterns that keep them stuck - whether rooted in early-life wounds or life transitions. Maria uses a blend of evidence-informed methods, including cognitive behavioral techniques, to support clients in reshaping unhelpful thoughts and behaviors while fostering self-compassion and authenticity.

She prioritizes growth toward greater peace, meaning, and healthier relationships. Clients seeking support for issues like self-esteem, communication difficulties, parenting concerns, career stress, or intimacy-related matters can expect a collaborative process focused on practical problem solving, emotional processing, and discovering inner resources.

Maria aims to help people awaken personal strengths, increase resilience, and create sustainable change in the way they relate to themselves and others.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Maria uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which can be especially useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Client-Centered Therapy provides a supportive, nonjudgmental space where the client’s goals and values guide the work, fostering self-discovery and empowerment. Existential Therapy invites exploration of meaning, choice, and values to address feelings of emptiness, life transitions, and questions about purpose.

Deciding which approach fits best is part of the collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to understand their concerns, goals, and preferences, and then tailors techniques from these approaches to meet practical needs while honoring the client’s personal values and pace.

Online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging offer flexibility for scheduling and make it easier to maintain continuity of care across busy lives. These options allow clients to access regular support, practice skills between sessions, and engage in therapeutic work from environments that feel comfortable and convenient.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?

She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, grief, addictions, relationship and family problems, self-esteem, parenting, career stress, intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes.

How would you describe her therapeutic style and approach?

Her style blends client-centered care with cognitive behavioral and narrative elements, offering practical skill building alongside exploration of personal meaning and life stories.

What is her professional background and experience?

She has 25 years of experience in social work and clinical practice, with extensive work related to childhood trauma and long-term recovery from emotional and behavioral concerns.

What credentials and location should clients know about?

She is licensed in Colorado as an LCSW with the credential listing CO LCSW CSW.00000833 and maintains a clinical social work practice in that state.

Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?

Her practice is conducted in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for online work?

Clients can engage through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their preference and scheduling options.

How are fees and payment structured?

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

What are the first steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule an appointment according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoaching

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCancerCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisPanic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Colorado

Languages

English