Maria Frassinelli Sierra, LCSW, LICSW

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Experienced social worker for life changes and loss

Details

Name	Maria Frassinelli Sierra
Credentials	LCSW, LICSW
Based in	Connecticut
Licensed in	Connecticut, Massachusetts
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	25

About Maria

Maria Frassinelli Sierra is a licensed clinical social worker based in Connecticut. She brings 25 years of experience and focuses on helping people manage grief, stress, anxiety, life changes, and career concerns. She also supports those facing compassion fatigue and people in the LGBT community.

Her tone is direct and practical, aimed at someone who needs clear help now. Maria draws on several therapy approaches to match what a person needs in the moment.

Background and approach

She believes people are the authors of their own stories and looks for strengths to build on. Sessions often involve talking through recent events, identifying patterns that cause pain, and trying small, doable steps to change how things feel. Her background includes long experience in medical social work, working with people affected by cancer, chronic illness, and end-of-life concerns.

She has also worked with caregivers, people navigating fertility or pregnancy issues, and those dealing with financial stress or major life transitions. That history shapes a practical way of approaching hard problems. In a session Maria uses clear, person-centered language.

She may introduce tools from acceptance and commitment work or cognitive behavioral strategies when helpful. She pays attention to feelings and the stories people tell about themselves, and then helps reframe those stories into manageable plans. People who reach out can expect a steady, compassionate partner who focuses on what matters now.

Maria helps set realistic goals and supports follow-through so progress feels possible even when things are heavy.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Grief, Self esteem, Coping with life changes among the things Maria works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Existential Therapy: Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Maria among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Maria directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Maria directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How Maria blends therapy approaches online

Maria draws on Narrative Therapy to help people examine the stories they tell about themselves and others, and to find alternate, more helpful ways of understanding difficult events. This approach is useful for grief, life transitions, and questions of identity.

She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without letting them control actions, and then committing to values-based steps. ACT can help with anxiety, stress, and chronic illness management. Client-Centered Therapy guides much of her work too by keeping the client's perspective central and offering steady, empathetic support.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Maria will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, then adapt methods collaboratively. The plan can change as needs evolve and progress is reviewed together.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and comfort levels. Video lets people use visual cues, phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat suits quick check-ins, and messaging supports shorter, on-the-go contact. These options make it easier to maintain momentum and try new strategies without long travel times.

Common questions about this listing

What concerns does she address?

She helps people with grief, self esteem, coping with life changes, stress, anxiety, compassion fatigue, career concerns, and LGBT related issues. Additional focus includes illness, caregiving, end-of-life matters, and fertility or pregnancy concerns.

What is her general therapy style?

Her style is collaborative and person-centered, focusing on the stories clients bring and practical steps forward. She mixes conversational exploration with concrete skills when useful.

How long has she been practicing?

She has 25 years of professional experience, including extensive work in medical social work and support around serious illness and end-of-life issues.

Which credentials and location apply?

She holds LCSW and LICSW credentials and practices from Connecticut.

In which language are sessions conducted?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How does payment and cost work?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Maria are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Maria where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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