Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto, LCSW - Therapist in Florida

Bilingual English Spanish
20 years experience
Practical coping tools

About Maria

Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, relationship concerns, and life changes. She speaks English and Spanish and brings a bilingual perspective to sessions.

Her work focuses on practical steps people can use right away. She describes her approach as client-centered and goal-oriented. Sessions often include tools from cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused work, and mindfulness practices to help people notice patterns and try different responses.

Maria Clara has worked in hospitals, health centers, and private agencies. She earned a Master of Social Work from California State University, Fresno, after studying clinical psychology as an undergraduate. Her background includes two cultures, which she uses to connect with people from varied cultural experiences.

In sessions she uses validation, active listening, and reflection. She aims to help clients regulate emotions, build healthier habits, and open new pathways toward more satisfying daily life. She names practical coping strategies and supports clients as they test them.

Clients dealing with trauma, compassion fatigue, parenting stress, ADHD-related challenges, or coping with natural or human-caused disaster can expect a hands-on focus on current needs. The therapist frames goals collaboratively and adjusts techniques to fit what works for each person.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Maria Clara commonly draws on cognitive behavioral therapy and client-centered work in sessions. CBT involves noticing thoughts and behaviors that make problems worse and trying small experiments to change them, which can help with anxiety, depression, and stress. Client-centered work focuses on listening, empathy, and helping people set their own goals, which supports stronger decision making and self-understanding.

Finding the best approach is a collaborative process. She will discuss goals and preferences and try different techniques to see what fits. Clients and therapist review what helps and adjust tools or pacing as needed so work stays relevant to day-to-day life.

If you plan to use online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around work, caregiving, or travel, and it can reduce time spent commuting. Some people prefer a shorter check-in by phone when bandwidth or background noise is an issue, while others find video sessions better for practicing emotion regulation and skill work. Ask about available formats when you schedule so sessions match your routine and needs.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Depression

Also works with

GriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problems Coping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame Hospice and end-of-life counseling Immigration issuesInfidelityIsolation / loneliness Life purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSelf-harmSexual assault and abuseWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

20+ years

Credentials

Florida

Languages

English, Spanish

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting strain, career questions, and related concerns listed in her specialties.

What is her general therapy style?

Her style is client-centered and goal-oriented, using empathy, validation, and active listening while focusing on practical steps clients can try between sessions.

How much experience does she bring?

She has 20 years of experience working in hospitals, health centers, and private agencies with adults across the lifespan.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She holds a Master of Social Work and is an LCSW licensed in Florida. Her training includes study at California State University, Fresno.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish to accommodate bilingual clients.

Can she work with international clients?

International clients are accepted; confirm any scheduling or licensure details when you begin the intake process.

How does cost and billing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.