Maria Frassinelli Sierra , LCSW, LICSW

Maria Frassinelli Sierra is a licensed clinical social worker based in Connecticut with 25 years of professional experience, including a strong background in medical social work. She has extensive experience supporting individuals and families through a cancer diagnosis and other serious health challenges, and she brings focused expertise to end-of-life care and grief work. Maria combines clinical skill with practical compassion to help people navigate difficult transitions and loss.

Her practice also addresses a range of life adjustments such as career shifts, midlife concerns, and fertility or pregnancy-related issues, and she offers executive and professional coaching alongside therapeutic support. Maria has experience working with LGBT clients and attends to caregiver stress, chronic illness, and the emotional fallout of major life events. She approaches each person as the expert of their own story and looks for strengths that can guide recovery and growth.

Maria holds LCSW and LICSW credentials, which are licenses recognizing her training and practice as a clinical social worker. She emphasizes partnership in therapy, helping clients take the courageous first steps toward change while offering steady support and practical tools to lighten burdens and build resilience.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Therapeutic Support

Maria draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Client-Centered Therapy to guide her online work. ACT emphasizes noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them while clarifying values and committed action - useful for grief, chronic illness, and major life changes. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and developing practical strategies to reduce anxiety, manage stress, and build self-esteem. Client-Centered Therapy creates a nonjudgmental, empathetic space where the client is heard and supported as they explore goals and make decisions.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Maria works with each person to understand their needs, goals, and preferences and blends methods as appropriate so therapy fits their situation and stage of change. She aims to partner with clients to identify what helps most in real life.

Online therapy offers flexibility for busy schedules and for people managing health or caregiving responsibilities. Sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients to access licensed professionals from home or between commitments while maintaining continuity of care and practical support.