Maria Farraye-Biggs

Maria Farraye-Biggs is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with three decades of experience supporting people through strong emotions and life challenges. She helps those dealing with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, parenting strains, and relationship concerns. She speaks English and Spanish and practices in New Jersey. Maria keeps the first part of therapy simple: building trust and a steady working relationship. She says that real progress takes time and that she will stay alongside clients while they learn new ways of coping. She draws on her own experience with therapy and caregiving to stay grounded and empathetic in sessions. Her style blends several approaches so the work fits the person. She uses client-centered methods to focus on each person’s goals and strengths. She applies cognitive behavioral techniques to identify patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to upset and to practice new skills. Maria also uses psychodynamic ideas to look at longer-standing patterns and solution-focused strategies for practical, short-term goals. She emphasizes respect, honesty, and an interactive relationship where guidance and gentle challenge both happen. People who choose her often want someone who listens without judgment and who offers clear tools for managing mood, anger, parenting stress, grief, or life transitions. She aims to help clients notice what’s getting in the way, build on their strengths, and move toward steadier functioning.

How Maria’s Approaches Translate to Online Work

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening closely and following the client’s lead. It helps people find clarity about their goals and feel understood before making changes. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at the thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and teaches practical skills for managing anxiety, anger, and mood changes. Finding the right approach is a team effort. Maria will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences and suggest methods that fit. Together they will test what works and adjust the plan if needed so the work feels useful and realistic. If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session formats with the clinician before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also reduce the need to travel and help people try exercises between meetings. Licensed professionals can use these methods effectively over distance, and the focus remains on clear communication, skill practice, and steady progress.