Maria Culcasi

Hello, my name is Maria Culcasi. I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) In California for nearly 20 years. I work with adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress. I use EMDR and CBT to help clients work through their thoughts and emotions, cope with life's stressors, and find more ease in their life.

My approach

I am client-centered, meaning I approach therapy based on what the client's needs and wants are and often check in with the client that our work together is progressing and helpful. I most often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Sleep Coaching, and Mindfulness.

My focus

I typically work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, and current and/ or past trauma. A little bit of stress is a good thing. It gets us out of bed in the morning and motivated us to work towards our goals. But too little or too much stress are problems that interfere with our ability to be the best possible versions of ourselves and can prevent our minds from being at ease to deal with life's daily tasks or pursuing opportunities. Often too much stress can lead to anxiety and depression. Through CBT and other modalities, we will discuss your thoughts and emotions as well as ways to help your motivation and any barrier that may be getting in the way of leading the life you would like. We can use EMDR and Mindfulness as well as other approaches to get you to a place where you feel more at ease.

My communication style

I love getting to know people and this is expressed through my ability to listen non-judgmentally. I want to understand each person and their individuality in the calm, safe space I offer.

My journey to mental healthcare

I became a psychotherapist because I enjoy listening and reflecting with people and accompanying them on their journey in health. I have spent many years working at a community health clinic because I believe in quality health and mental health care for all. I consider therapy a sacred space to explore emotions and how they affect who we are and the choices we are making. In my almost 20 years of doing this work, I have found trauma and maladjustment to sometimes jarring life events to have a profound effect on our well-being. I decided to train in the discipline of social work on the way to getting licensed to do psychotherapy because the discipline takes into consideration one's environment and how that is affecting their mental health. We don't act alone in the vacuum of our brains but are relational creatures interacting with the environment in which we live.

My goals for you

After I get a sense of your needs and there is a good rapport and trust between us we can start to establish some goals for your work in therapy. I start with where you are at and offer suggestions as to what could work for our time together in therapy.

My first session with you

During our first session, I will ask questions to get to know you and your needs in therapy better, including how you've been feeling recently and what brought you to make the important step to seek out help. I will listen to you and based on what you're experiencing currently collaborate with you to make a plan on how I can best assist you.