What patients are saying
Overall rating
5.00
About Maria Acanda
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Couples
Seniors (65+)
Families
Treatment approaches
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Strength-Based
EMDR
Gottman Method
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Maria Acanda
Something feels off – in your relationships, your mind, your body. Maybe it's anxiety that won't quiet, a relationship under strain, or experiences you haven't fully processed. You don't have to navigate it alone.
Maria Acanda has spent nearly a decade walking alongside people in difficult moments – first as an advocate and crisis counselor for at-risk youth and families, now as a licensed therapist. That background grounds her approach: she knows what real struggle looks like, and what it takes to find footing again.
Maria works with individuals, couples, and families of all ages facing trauma/PTSD, stress, and relationship issues. She also supports clients with anxiety, depression, life transitions, and self-worth challenges. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois, with certifications in EMDR and Gottman Level 2, plus training in CBT, Mindfulness, Strengths-Based therapy, and EFT.
In practice, that means a varied toolkit used exactly where it fits: EMDR to help your nervous system process what words can't reach, Gottman methods to help couples move from conflict to connection, and mindfulness to help you recognize what stress is doing inside you – and interrupt it. All delivered with patience, humor, and flexibility.
"Therapy was a natural integration of my personal values and professional purpose," Maria shares. She brings non-judgmental curiosity to every session, creating a space safe enough to be honest and structured enough to move forward.
The goal isn't just feeling better in the moment – it's building skills and resilience that carry you forward.
Outside of session, Maria hikes with her husband and dog, crafts, and cooks. Her sense of justice runs deep – in another life, she'd likely be a judge.
What should a new client know about working with you?
I bring a non-judgmental curiosity into every session, and my top priority is making sure you feel safe enough to be honest, and comfortable enough to treat our work together as a real partnership. Before I became a therapist, I spent nearly a decade as an advocate and crisis counselor for at-risk youth and families, so I've sat with people in some genuinely hard moments — that experience keeps me grounded and realistic about what struggle actually looks like, rather than working from theory alone.
I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I'm trained in EMDR, Gottman Method (Level 2), CBT, mindfulness, strengths-based therapy, and EFT, and I draw on whichever of those fits what you're going through — whether that's trauma, anxiety, depression, a relationship in strain, a major life transition, or questions of self-worth. Expect patience, some genuine humor along the way, and flexibility rather than a rigid script.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
Sessions are structured enough to keep us moving forward, but never so rigid that there's no room for what you actually need that day. Early on, we spend time understanding your history and what's brought you in, so I can get a clear picture of the full person in front of me — not just the presenting issue.
From there, the tools I use shift depending on what's most useful: EMDR when your nervous system is holding onto something that talking alone hasn't been able to reach, Gottman-based work when I'm meeting with couples navigating conflict, and mindfulness or body-awareness practices to help you notice what stress is doing to you in real time — and start interrupting that pattern. Throughout, my goal isn't just symptom relief in the moment. It's helping you build lasting skills, self-trust, and resilience you can carry with you well after our sessions end.
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Office locations
Maria Acanda, LSW also offers online video visits for patients
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Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Master's in Social Work
NPI number
1184357998
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
5.00
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
1 review
Most relevant
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
How soon can I make an appointment with Maria Acanda?
Generally, Maria Acanda has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Maria Acanda's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Maria Acanda accepting new patients?
Maria Acanda generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Maria Acanda's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Maria Acanda accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Maria Acanda is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Maria Acanda online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Maria Acanda using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Maria Acanda work with?
Maria Acanda works with Counseling Works.
Where is Maria Acanda's office located?
Maria Acanda has 3 office locations, including in Naperville and Lemont, view full addresses on Maria Acanda's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Maria Acanda?
Maria Acanda frequently sees patients for Anxiety, Depression, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Maria Acanda on their profile.
What languages does Maria Acanda speak?
Maria Acanda speaks English.