- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and grief
- Parenting support
About Maritza
Maritza Alvarez-Pena is a California-based licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and parenting challenges. She speaks English and Spanish and brings 23 years of professional experience to conversations about life and relationships. Maritza aims to create a calm space where people can talk about what is most worrying them and find practical ways forward.
She uses a mix of well-known approaches to help people make changes that matter. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify thought patterns that keep problems going and test new ways of thinking. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on values and actions that move someone toward a life they care about. Attachment-Based methods look at relationship patterns that affect how people connect and cope.
In sessions she listens first, then helps set clear, manageable goals. She works with individual life issues as well as relationship and family concerns, and she supports parents dealing with everyday strain. Conversations tend to be straightforward and focused on what the person wants to change.
Maritza’s background includes a master’s degree in psychology counseling and a California LMFT license. Her long experience includes assisting people through major life transitions, chronic health and caregiving stress, and challenges linked to adoption or attachment issues.
People who choose her often want a bilingual approach, practical tools, and steady support while they try new ways of responding. Prospective clients should confirm current session options and scheduling when they start the intake process.
How these approaches work in online therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters most to them and take actions that match those values, even when difficult feelings are present. It is often useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so clients can test and change unhelpful patterns; this approach is practical for anxiety, stress, and mood concerns. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early and current relationships shape expectations and reactions, which can help with parenting stress, relationship strain, and long-standing trust issues.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose or blend methods based on goals, preferences, and what proves most helpful in early sessions. That collaborative stance means plans can shift as progress unfolds.
Session formats are not specified here, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, cut commuting time, and allow check-ins between in-person commitments. It also supports shorter, focused meetings when someone needs a brief strategy session or a phone check-in that does not require video. Ask about the formats offered when you start so you can plan sessions that fit your routine and needs.
Areas of focus
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Maritza focus on?
She focuses on stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting, and depression, and also helps with related issues like attachment, codependency, and chronic illness strain.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style combines practical, goal-oriented work with listening and reflection, using approaches such as CBT, ACT, and attachment-based ideas to help people change behaviors and patterns.
What is her professional background?
She has 23 years of clinical experience and holds a master’s degree in psychology counseling, with long experience supporting people through life transitions and relationship challenges.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California and practices there.
Which languages are used in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.