Maria Alderman , LMSW

Maria Alderman is a licensed social worker in Michigan who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship or intimacy-related issues. She supports people dealing with trauma, grief, addiction, ADHD, and career or self-esteem concerns. Maria also addresses body image, parenting strain, and challenges linked to chronic illness or caregiving.

She keeps sessions straightforward and person-focused. Conversations are shaped around what matters to each person. Maria listens closely and asks practical questions to help people notice what is working and what they want to change.

Her approach mixes gentle exploration of life patterns with tools you can use between sessions. Maria draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to spot thoughts and habits that get in the way. She also uses acceptance and commitment ideas to help people decide what values they want to act on.

Clients who prefer a reflective space may find her psychodynamic-informed perspective helpful for seeing old relationship patterns. Motivational interviewing techniques are used when people want support making changes around substance use, health habits, or other goals.

Maria tailors the plan to each person's needs and pace. She treats people with respect and sensitivity and works to make therapy a practical part of everyday life. To begin, she asks a few questions to match goals to a clear plan and schedule.

How therapeutic approaches work online

The therapist uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people notice difficult thoughts and feelings and choose actions that match their values, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify unhelpful thought patterns and test new behaviors, helpful for worry, sleep problems, and low mood. Client-Centered Therapy creates a warm, nonjudgmental space where the therapist follows the person's lead and helps them find their own solutions.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they may try one approach or blend methods until the best fit emerges.

Online therapy offers several practical options: video calls for face-to-face conversation, phone sessions when bandwidth is limited, live chat for shorter check-ins, and text-based messaging for ongoing support between sessions. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, attend from different locations within Michigan, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable.