Anxiety Therapist Orlando Spotlight: Maria Ross, LCSW
Anxiety Therapist Orlando Spotlight: Maria Ross, LCSW
We are thrilled to introduce our latest team member, Maria Ross, LCSW, a bilingual therapist in Orlando. Maria has extensive experience working with adults and teenagers who are dealing with anxiety, trauma, and grief. As an anxiety therapist in Orlando, she has provided answers to some of the common questions that people may have before starting counseling.
As a therapist who specializes in anxiety, what are some of the first things you address in counseling?
During initial sessions, my primary focus is on building trust and strong therapeutic rapport. I strive to cultivate a safe and nonjudgmental environment where young adults feel comfortable expressing themselves. The initial sessions also focus on ensuring I have the best understanding of their goals for their individual healing and that I remain open to any concerns and worries. This foundation is essential for me in my work with all individuals to ensure a collaborative and effective counseling experience.
Common issues for young adults may include identity exploration, relationships, academic or career-related stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and navigating transitions like leaving home or starting a new phase of life.
How do you help your clients with anxiety?
I utilize a combination of cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, and psychoeducation to help young adults understand and manage thoughts and emotions. The process includes building rapport, gathering history to best understand how anxiety has impacted day-to-day living, and working together to develop coping strategies that suit their individual needs. Anxiety can affect relationships including family, friends, workplace, and romantic relationships. We explore effective communication, boundary-setting, and conflict resolution skills. Additionally, I help them identify healthy relationship patterns and address any underlying issues that may be affecting their relationships.
How do you use EMDR therapy to help clients with anxiety?
EMDR Therapy can help clients with anxiety in various ways such as helping a client identify the core beliefs that may underlie their anxiety. Some examples include beliefs about safety, self-worth, or control. It can also help with desensitization to anxiety triggers, enhancing coping skills, helping with emotional regulation as well as processing future scenarios that may cause anxiety. Even prior to processing, the initial steps of EMDR include what is called resourcing and building coping skills, which in and of itself can help with symptoms of anxiety.
Do you believe trauma contributes to anxiety?
Trauma can have a significant impact on anxiety. When someone experiences a traumatic event, it can disrupt their sense of safety, trust, and emotional well-being. This can lead to a heightened state of arousal i.e. constant sense of tension and an inability to relax, thoughts that disrupt our belief about self and others, overwhelming and intense emotions that may feel unmanageable, and at times, physical symptoms such as tightness in the chest, increased heart rate, and sleeping issues.
What are some of your success stories in working with clients who have struggled with anxiety?
As a therapist specializing in anxiety, I've had the privilege of witnessing numerous success stories with my young adult clients. One example involved a client who struggled with debilitating social anxiety, which made it difficult for them to form meaningful connections and pursue their career goals. Through targeted interventions including cognitive restructuring and mindfulness practices, we worked together to gradually build their confidence and improve their social skills. In time, they were able to engage in social situations with greater ease and they were able to begin college and attend classes in person which had been a barrier for them previously.
How do you bring mindfulness into counseling for clients who struggle with anxiety?
Mindfulness is a tool that is a cornerstone of my approach with many clients, especially those struggling with anxiety. The purpose is that mindfulness is a skill that often leads to a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms and an enhanced ability to navigate life’s difficulties. Many resources within methods such as EMDR, ACT, and CBT allow the individual to develop a heightened awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations while incorporating skills to manage, tolerate, and ultimately integrate an empowered sense of control and resilience.
Do you use EMDR for trauma with Young Adults?
I incorporate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in my approach to trauma therapy when it is deemed suitable for their specific needs and circumstances. This is a collaborative approach and is used as a method when the client feels comfortable and is prepared to explore the possible underlying memories causing anxiety and other problematic symptoms for the individual. EMDR can be an effective technique for processing and healing from traumatic experiences.
Ready to start therapy in Orlando with Maria?
If you're seeking counseling services, Maria Ross at Mindful Living Counseling Orlando is available to assist you. She has some remaining slots for both in-person and virtual sessions. Maria is a well-trained therapist who can help you regain control over your emotions. To begin:
Fill out our New Client Consultation Form
Schedule a consultation call with our Client Care Coordinator
Start the journey of helping you heal
Not Quite Ready for Anxiety Counseling?
We are here to support you on your journey toward healing, with a team of highly trained Orlando therapists who are ready to help. We understand that everyone has their own pace, and if you are not ready to start therapy yet, that's okay too. In the meantime, we invite you to read some of the articles we have written below.
Additional Anxiety Resources
Anxiety Therapist Spotlight - Charniqua Snell, RMHCI
Anxiety Therapist: A Guide to Balancing Work and Mental Health
How to Manage Perfectionism and Anxiety
Orlando Therapist Shares About Anxiety Therapy
An Anxiety Therapist Shares Everything You Need to Know About Anxiety
Decision-Making Anxiety? Anxiety Therapist Shares 5 Steps to Make Decisions Easier
51 Grounding Techniques to Help You Feel Grounded Now
Other Therapy Services Offered at Mindful Living Counseling in Orlando, FL
Dealing with anxiety might not be the only challenge you're facing and that's alright. At Mindful Living Counseling, we offer a wide range of therapy services to help you cope with various issues. Our services include Trauma Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Toxic Relationship Therapy, and Teen Therapy. Additionally, we provide Guided Meditations that you may find helpful. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
About the Author
Meet Maria Ross, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in EMDR. She has a passion for assisting teenagers and adults who struggle with anxiety and trauma. Maria is bilingual and offers in-person and online therapy sessions in both English and Spanish. When she's not working with clients, she loves to spend quality time with her family or immerse herself in a good book.