Theresa Ridley

Theresa Ridley is a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland with 25 years of experience. She uses a client-centered style that treats each person as the expert on their own life. Theresa listens closely, helps people name what matters, and supports practical steps forward.

She focuses on stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, grief, and depression. Theresa also helps people facing abandonment, caregiver strain, codependency, control issues, and challenges tied to life purpose. Hospice and end-of-life counseling is included among her focus areas for those navigating loss and transition.

Theresa blends client-centered work with cognitive behavioral techniques when helpful. She encourages clients to identify unhelpful thoughts and to try new behaviors between sessions. The aim is to make small, manageable changes that add up over time.

People can expect straightforward conversation and practical strategies. Theresa pays attention to the cultural and personal context of each person’s story. She emphasizes strengths and builds on what is already working.

Starting therapy begins with a short matching questionnaire and scheduling based on availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time, and fees vary with location and therapist availability.

How Client-Centered and CBT Work Online

Theresa uses client-centered therapy, which means she starts by listening and following the client's goals. This approach focuses on understanding a person's experience and building on their strengths to solve current problems.

She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy, a hands-on method that helps people spot thought patterns that increase stress or depression. CBT often includes trying new behaviors between sessions to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. Theresa will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and what feels most helpful. Together they decide whether to emphasize client-centered work, CBT techniques, or a mix of both based on how someone responds.

Confirm the specific session options before booking since formats are not listed in the biography. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, shorten travel time, and allow check-ins from different locations when needed. It can also make it simpler to continue care during major life transitions such as hospice and end-of-life planning, where ongoing conversation and coping strategies are important.