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MS Portrait of Maria Smartt

Maria Smartt

Supportive social worker focused on practical coping skills

LMSW, LISW Michigan

Experience
11 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Parenting
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Maria

About Maria

Maria Smartt is an independently licensed social worker practicing in Michigan with 11 years of professional experience. As an LMSW and LISW, she draws on a background that includes work with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, motivation and self-esteem concerns.

Background and approach

Her approach is grounded in respect and compassion and aims to match therapy to each person’s situation. She adapts conversation and interventions to fit individual needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all plan, helping clients explore patterns, build coping skills, and increase motivation.

Maria combines practical strategies with empathetic listening to support people facing depression, relationship and family tensions, anger, addictions, and questions related to LGBT identity, adoption or foster care, and veteran or armed forces issues. Maria encourages taking the first steps toward change and offers collaborative support as clients work toward clearer goals and improved wellbeing.

Her practice emphasizes partnership, tailoring treatment plans to align with each client’s values and circumstances.

Integrating proven approaches for online care

Maria uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help identify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and to build concrete skills for managing anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Client-Centered Therapy is also central to her work, focusing on empathetic listening and creating a respectful space where clients guide the pace and goals of therapy. Motivational Interviewing may be used to explore ambivalence and strengthen personal motivation when change feels difficult.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Maria works with each person to evaluate which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life context, and she adjusts techniques over time as needs evolve. This partnership helps ensure therapy stays focused and relevant to the client’s priorities.

Online delivery through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging provides flexibility for scheduling and lets clients connect in ways that suit their daily routines. These options make it easier to access consistent support from licensed professionals while balancing work, family, or other responsibilities.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Maria commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, self-esteem, depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, anger, and matters related to LGBT identity, adoption and foster care, and veteran and armed forces issues.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Therapy blends client-centered empathy with practical techniques; sessions focus on collaborative dialogue and strategies to build coping skills and increase motivation.
How much experience does she have?
She brings 11 years of professional experience as an independently licensed social worker in practice.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds LMSW and LISW credentials with MI LMSW 6801110452 and OH LISW I.1801287 and practices in Michigan.
Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are provided in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How is pricing handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin working together?
To get started select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsAnger management

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careVeteran and Armed Forces Issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational Interviewing

Experience

11+ years

Licensed

Ohio, Michigan

Languages

English