I am a licensed professional counselor, currently licensed in West Virginia and South Carolina, with 10 years of clinical work experience in both intensive outpatient group therapy and individual therapy with adults with serious mental health diagnoses to develop and improve coping skills to manage life- and mental health related stressors.
I work with clients to improve skills to manage stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, history of adverse childhood experiences and attachment rupture. I am well versed in trauma therapy and in accompanying clients to come to terms with past trauma.
I also work with clients to develop skills to cope with life changes such as loss of role, changes in health, and adjusting to developmental stages in adult life.
I have experienced and seen the benefits of a warm therapeutic relationship in creating change in clients, and the importance of engaging clients to recognize their existing strengths and skills that can be applied to manage stressors, overcome challenges, and to improve quality of life.
I use a variety of theoretical treatment approaches as it fits the client - no one theory fits all. I will work with you to develop a therapeutic language that resonates with you.
Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and you have taken that first step! I am looking forward to work with you!
Additional areas of focus: Grief, Anger management, Attachment issues, Codependency, Family of origin issues, Guilt and shame, Mood disorders, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality disorders, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Sexual assault and abuse, Social anxiety and phobia
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
SC LPC 8368
WV LPC 2388
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Maria Gaum. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Wonderful at helping me get my life back!
Written on Sep 03, 2024 after therapy with Maria for 1 year and 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, and intimacy-related issues
Maria is very warm and easy to talk to. She listens attentively and gives honest and productive feedback. She offers ideas and suggests for ways to move forward and get over emotional triggers and challenges. I highly recommend Maria as a therapist and life coach.
Written on Aug 08, 2024 after therapy with Maria for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, grief, self esteem, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Maria has been an amazing asset to my daily life. Her knowledge and clear explanation of how my brain is working and why has given me such appreciation for where I am in life and given me tools to better myself. Thank you, Maria!
Written on Jul 10, 2024 after therapy with Maria for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
I can’t praise Maria enough…she is the BEST. She will help you get to the root of the problem and help guide you as you do the work.
Written on Jun 15, 2024 after therapy with Maria for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and coping with life changes
Maria has been a great help to me with navigating several traumatic events in my life in a short period of time. She is very perceptive and has a gift for knowing what to talk about in each season that will offer the most support at that time. She acknowledges and gives positive reinforcement for helpful behaviors and suggestions to build on them. Would definitely recommend her!
Written on Apr 25, 2024 after therapy with Maria for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, coping with life changes, and adhd
She is amazing. First time I feel really heard in therapy.
Written on Apr 15, 2024 after therapy with Maria for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and compassion fatigue