Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Illinois. My experience spans 16 years as a social worker in a variety of settings including private practice, group homes, incarceration, community resources, non profits, high profile cases, and many more. In those settings, I have had the privilege of working with a variety of children and family issues, specialized in pediatric adhd, provided couples therapy for a variety of sexually oriented couples, assisted in divorce mediation with a concentration on child well being and direction of co-parenting agreements, lead extensive integration programming for at risk young men, and group counseling for affluent young women experiencing self esteem issues and many other issues involving human interactions in various environments.
My clinical background includes professional training in dialectical behavior therapy which I received as part of an intensive training through my work as a DCFS contracted provider in a group home for high risk children. I use an eclectic style of therapeutic interventions including cognitive behavioral therapy to create a custom approach tailored for each client and their preferred styles. I pride myself in offering a judgement free zone, keeping in mind that I’m not going necessarily sugar coat what needs to be worked through. I use compassion and a tender approach knowing we are ALL just doing our best and at the same time, need to do better (based on the assumption that’s what we are here for).
I truly understand what it is like to feel isolated by friends and family and offer a unique perspective that helps each client figure out what’s really at the root of things. I use psychoanalysis when it’s appropriate to help understand the mechanics of how childhood experiences affect adult situations. I like to focus on solutions that make sense. Once we have identified the issues in the past, I prefer not to stay there but rather, make peace, offer forgiveness where needed and help my clients get on with their lives as they would like to live them. Often figuring out what we want is the most difficult part, but I like to think I can help guide my clients to a point of self satisfaction. I believe in collaboration. If I put in 100 % and my clients do the same, I have full faith in a positive outcome.
My professional goal is to render myself obsolete by encouraging the skills and offering the tools needed to live a therapeutic life, not a life in therapy. The ideal client for me is going to be ready for change and willing to do the work. They will be open minded and willing to hear truths that are not necessarily easy to take but will lead to the outcome they are looking for. I am not for everyone, but for those clients that find my style helpful, I am confident will feel helped in the end. I have nothing but respect for anyone who is brave enough to take up the arduous task of self improvement and I do my best to gently stretch my clients out of their comfort zone. So anyone wanting to work with me should be aware that this is a critical part of the process and while I believe therapy to be a healing art, I must admit, it doesn’t always feel as comfortable as we wish it could be. Having said that, I work hard to offer sincere compassion to the people I work with and do so with genuine respect for their right to self determination at every turn.
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Maria Conforti is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Illinois with 16 years of experience. Her work focuses on relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, coaching, and ADHD, and she brings a pragmatic, compassionate style to each client interaction.
Her professional background spans a wide range of settings including private practice, group homes, incarceration settings, community resource programs, nonprofit organizations, and involvement with high-profile cases. Across these roles she has worked with children and families, specialized in pediatric ADHD, provided couples therapy for sexually oriented couples, assisted with divorce mediation emphasizing child well-being and co-parenting agreements, led integration programming for at-risk young men, and facilitated group counseling for affluent young women addressing self-esteem and related interpersonal concerns.
Clinically, Maria completed intensive training in dialectical behavior therapy while contracted with DCFS in a group home serving high-risk children. She uses an eclectic approach that draws on cognitive behavioral techniques among other interventions to tailor treatment to each client’s style and needs. When appropriate she incorporates psychoanalytic perspectives to explore how childhood experiences influence adult patterns. She aims to offer a nonjudgmental therapeutic space while also being direct about the work that needs to be done, combining tenderness and compassion with honest feedback.
Maria prioritizes solution-focused progress – helping clients make peace with the past, practice forgiveness when needed, and move toward the lives they want to lead. She values collaboration and believes that meaningful change comes when both therapist and client commit to the process. Her stated professional aim is to teach skills and provide tools so clients can live a therapeutic life rather than remain in ongoing therapy.
The ideal client for Maria is ready for change, willing to do the work, and open to hearing difficult truths that support growth. She acknowledges that therapy can feel uncomfortable at times and gently encourages clients to expand beyond their comfort zones, always honoring their right to self-determination.
Online therapy can be an effective option for many common concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and navigating life transitions. Research and clinical experience indicate that, for these types of issues, virtual sessions often work as well as traditional in-person therapy.
One of the main benefits is flexibility – people can connect with a therapist in the format that fits their life, whether through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or in-app messaging. That variety makes it easier to keep appointments and integrate therapeutic work into a busy schedule.
All participating clinicians are licensed professionals, and clients have the option to change therapists if they need a different match. For many, online therapy offers a practical, accessible way to begin or continue mental health care while maintaining the quality of treatment found in face-to-face settings.
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