Welcome

Are you an introvert or HSP (Highly Sensitive Person)?  If you’ve read Elaine Aron’s book The Highly Sensitive Person or taken her HSP quiz, you know that HSPs tend to be:

  • sensitive
  • easily overwhelmed
  • desire solitude
  • a magnet for the problems of others
  • needing downtime
  • take in so much from their surrounding environment

Initial virtual sessions are either 15 minutes (free) or 45 minutes ($45 which is 70% off regular sessions).   I respect the time and attention of the women I work with and this ensures the time is mutually beneficial.   Full privacy and confidentiality are guaranteed.

I am an HSP myself and have refined personal strategies that work well for me.   I’ve also worked extensively with Highly Sensitive People (especially women) for the past decade to help them:

 

  • understand HSP triggers
  • discover the easiest behaviors to move through a sensitive state
  • replace distorted thinking with healthier options
  • feel ok about their needs and boundaries
  • create communication strategies with others, especially non-HSPs
  • ultimately develop self-love and find hope and support

 

    Therapy can help. I CAN help. Together we will implement practical strategies that will increase your happiness, create deeper connections and help you make long term gains in your emotional and relational well-being.

     

    In our sessions, we'll identify the obstacles that are blocking your path to contentment and develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. I'll provide a safe and supportive environment for you to explore past hurts and current hardships, work through your feelings, and build a better future.

     

    I offer online therapy, allowing the option of doing therapy from the comfort of your home or office, minimizing commuting and scheduling difficulties.  Finding the right therapist that you connect with and feel confident can help you is the biggest predictor of success. Contact me for a free consultation to see if we might be a good fit to work together.

    I've been in private practice as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA License #38399 Verification) since 2001. I received my Bachelor’s in Human Development from U.C. Davis and my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller School of Psychology. I am also a published author. Click here to access my book Depression Solutions.

     

    For years, I worked in a variety of therapy settings – from family service agencies dealing with crisis situations to placing children in foster homes – and ultimately came to realize that my strongest passion and greatest strengths surfaced when working with individuals to get to the root of their problems so they can heal, have more joy, and create strong and healthy relationships.  My greatest professional privilege is to guide and support people towards living whole and rewarding lives.

    How I Work

    I view our work together as collaborative. We’ll discuss all treatment options and I’ll offer recommendations, but ultimately the decisions are yours.  Most of my work incorporates a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Psychodynamic, and attachment repair work.  I recognize that my therapy style may not be the right fit for everyone, so I always explore this early in our sessions to make sure that you feel I am the right therapist for you. A good client-therapist relationship is a key component of successful therapy; that’s why it’s important to choose a therapist with whom you have good rapport.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • How long do counseling sessions last? What is your cancellation policy?

    All therapy is done in private 45 minute individual sessions via Zoom.   I have a 48-hour cancellation policy. Exceptions are made for illness or emergencies.

    • What can I expect in the first session?

    I offer a free 45 minute consultation to determine if we might be a good fit to work together.  I view our first session as an opportunity for us to get to know each other. As you tell me about the current issues that are bringing you to therapy, I will help you make sense of why you are feeling stuck, any underlying issues that may be contributing to the problem, and we can together begin to formulate some goals and brainstorm the outcomes you are expecting from therapy.

    • What are the benefits of therapy?

    People that I work with have told me that they notice a marked improvement in emotional health and well being. This translates into a higher self-confidence, productivity and better relationships. People begin to feel more comfortable with themselves and feel “unstuck” due to their increased self awareness which results in positive changes in their lives.

    • ​How many therapy sessions will I need?

    There’s no hard-and-fast, one-size-fits-all answer. While many people can make significant progress in a short amount of time, therapy is not a quick fix solution. We’ll set goals early in treatment and together, we’ll estimate a time-frame for treatment, depending on your needs. Most clients see me weekly for 3 – 6 months. Some see me on a continuing basis for several years; others require only a few sessions.  The number of therapy sessions required depends on the complexity of the issues you’re dealing with. Many clients find that the initial sessions resolve the most pressing concerns, only to uncover deeper issues that they recognize they must deal with. When that happens, we usually mutually decide to adjust our treatment plan.

    Copyright Maria Lloyd

    Privacy      Terms