Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto, LCSW

Maria Clara Salazar-Pretto is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience who helps people manage stress, loss, relationship strain, and life transitions. She speaks English and Spanish and works with adults across the lifespan, including older adults facing aging and geriatric issues.

She offers a warm, down-to-earth approach that puts the person first. Sessions focus on clear goals and practical steps. Maria Clara listens, reflects, and uses straightforward tools to help people think and act differently when situations feel overwhelming.

Her background includes work in hospitals, health centers, and private agencies. She earned a master’s degree in social work from California State University, Fresno in 1993 and has an undergraduate degree in clinical psychology. That mix of clinical education and real-world experience informs how she supports clients today.

In session she draws from client-centered methods and cognitive behavioral ideas to spot patterns in thinking and behavior. She also uses solution-focused techniques and elements of systems thinking to map relationships and daily routines that affect wellbeing. The aim is practical change - small skills that change how people cope with stress, grief, anxiety, and caregiving demands.

Maria Clara invites a collaborative process. She works with each person to set achievable goals and build new habits. The tone is respectful, empathic, and direct, helping people move toward clearer choices and better day-to-day functioning.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Maria Clara often blends client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral tools to help people change habits and manage stress. Client-centered work focuses on understanding your priorities and building a trusting working relationship. Cognitive behavioral methods look at thinking and behavior patterns and teach practical skills for coping with anxiety, depression, and daily stress.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. She will talk with each person about goals and preferences, try strategies, and adjust the plan together so the work fits the person rather than forcing a single model.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session formats before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow check-ins from different locations. It can also allow for shorter or more frequent brief sessions when that helps with skill practice. Speak with the therapist about scheduling, languages, and how to shape sessions so they match your needs and routines.