Licensed Professional counselor

Maria Smith

Supporting growth through compassion, culture, and connection.

Hello and Welcome.

Anxiety and depression can make us feel overwhelmed, disconnected, and unsure of how to move forward. You may deeply long for a more fulfilling life—stronger relationships, a calmer mind, and a sense of purpose—but feel stuck under the weight of emotional challenges. If you’re ready to make a change, I’m here to support you.

Together, we’ll explore what’s holding you back with compassion and curiosity. My goal is to help you reconnect with your inner strength, develop practical tools for healing, and create the meaningful life you deserve.

My background & approach

Maria Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who is passionate about empowering individuals to navigate life’s challenges and pursue meaningful personal growth. She earned her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University in 2023 and brings a rich multicultural perspective to her work, grounded in her educational background in English Language, Literature, and Translation from Pontifícia Universidade Católica in São Paulo, Brazil.

Fluent in both Portuguese and English, Maria warmly welcomes clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and creates a safe, inclusive space for healing and exploration.

Maria’s professional experience includes work at the American Consulate, volunteer service with hospice organizations, and years of teaching yoga (RYT 200, RYT 500). These experiences inform her holistic and integrative approach to therapy, blending empathy, cultural awareness, and mind-body strategies for wellness.

She specializes in supporting adults dealing with anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, stress, and interpersonal challenges. Maria tailors her therapeutic approach to meet each client’s individual needs, drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based practices.

Maria is committed to helping clients connect with their inner strengths, develop practical tools for emotional resilience, and move forward with confidence and clarity.

    • Adults experiencing anxiety and depression

    • Individuals navigating life transitions or career changes

    • Clients coping with grief and loss

    • People managing stress and burnout

    • Individuals facing interpersonal or relational challenges

    • Clients seeking support for emotional resilience and self-growth

    • Portuguese- and English-speaking clients

    • Culturally diverse individuals seeking a therapist with a multicultural perspective

    • Clients interested in integrating mindfulness, movement, or holistic practices into therapy

    • Individuals exploring identity and purpose

    • Anxiety and depression

    • Grief and loss support

    • Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    • Mindfulness

    • Coping strategy development

    • Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    • MIndfulness

    • Solution-Focused Therapy

    • Somatic Experiencing (body-focused techniques)

    • Strengths-Based Approach

    • Client-Centered Therapy

    • Accepts most insurances plans. Call for more information.

    • Available in-person in Fredericksburg, VA