Octave
Maria Culcasi avatar
LCSWshe/her

Maria Culcasi

VirtualHigh Satisfaction Rate

21 years of experience

Verified by Octave
In California
Accepting 8 Insurance providers

Meet Maria

I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) In California for nearly 20 years. I work with adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress. I am client-centered, meaning I approach therapy based on what the client's needs and wants are and often check in with the client that our work together is progressing and helpful. I most often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Sleep Coaching, and Mindfulness to help clients work through their thoughts and emotions, cope with life's stressors, and find more ease in their lives. A little bit of stress is a good thing. It gets us out of bed in the morning and motivates us to work towards our goals. But too little or too much stress are problems that interfere with our ability to be the best possible versions of ourselves and can prevent our minds from being at ease to deal with life’s daily tasks or pursuing opportunities. Often too much stress can lead to anxiety and depression. Through CBT and other modalities, we will discuss your thoughts and emotions as well as ways to help your motivation and any barrier that may be getting in the way of leading the life you would like. We can use EMDR and Mindfulness as well as other approaches to get you to a place where you feel more at ease. I love getting to know people and this is expressed through my ability to listen non-judgmentally. I want to understand each person and their individuality in the calm, safe space I offer.

I love getting to know people and this is expressed through my ability to listen non-judgmentally. I want to understand each person and their individuality in the calm, safe space I offer.

Communication Style

  • Action-oriented
  • Calming
  • Direct
  • Engaging
  • Mindful

Specialties & Approaches

Specialties

Experienced with

  • BIPOC
  • Black community
  • Parents

Approach

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy
  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Psychodynamic
  • Relational
  • Solution-Focused

Licensed In

Locations

Virtual appointments available for California residents

Good to know

Session Details

Practices in

Languages

Additional

Interests

Credentials & Verification

Verified by Octave

License number

Education

Maria Culcasi, Licensed Clinical Social Worker License #22814 (exp January 2027)

Calculate Cost & Insurance

$28

/ session on average with insurance

Frequently asked questions

Maria Culcasi accepts Health Net, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross of CA, Out-of-State BlueCard PPO, Blue Shield of California, Centivo, Prime Health, and Cigna Healthcare/Evernorth. Octave clients pay an average of $28 per session through insurance, and more than 95% pay less than $45 per session. Your exact cost depends on your plan’s copay or deductible. You can use the cost estimator to see what you would pay before your first session. If you would rather pay out of pocket, self-pay sessions in California are estimated at $205-250 per session.

Maria Culcasi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Maria is licensed to practice in California, so clients located in California can book sessions. Maria’s California license number is 22814, and you can look it up through the state licensing board. Octave verifies every therapist’s license before they begin seeing clients, and licenses are kept current as a condition of practicing with Octave.

Maria Culcasi has been practicing therapy for 21 years. Maria’s education and training include MSW - Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley. Over that time, Maria has worked closely with BIPOC, Black community, and Parents. Octave therapists average more than a decade of experience, and Maria is part of that group.

Maria Culcasi works with BIPOC, Black community, and Parents and specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Family Conflict, Grief, Life Transitions, Panic, Sleep, Substance Use, Trauma, and Women's Issues. These are the areas where Maria spends most of their clinical time. If the concern you want help with isn’t listed here, a Care Navigator can tell you whether Maria is a good fit or match you with another Octave therapist who specializes in it.

Maria Culcasi draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic, Relational, Solution-Focused, and Strengths-Based. In sessions, Maria’s style is action-oriented, calming, direct, engaging, and mindful. In Maria’s words: “I love getting to know people and this is expressed through my ability to listen non-judgmentally. I want to understand each person and their individuality in the calm, safe space I offer.”

Maria Culcasi (she/her) offers therapy in English. Maria identifies as White.

Maria Culcasi offers online sessions over secure video, so you can meet from home or any private space. Maria is licensed in California, and you need to be located in that state at the time of each session. All you need is a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.

Your first session with Maria Culcasi is a chance to talk through what brought you to therapy and what you want to work on. Maria will ask about your background, your current concerns, and your goals, and together you will start shaping a plan for your sessions. It is also a chance to see whether Maria’s style feels like a good fit for you. After their first session, 9 in 10 Octave clients say their therapy experience has been good or better.

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Ready to start with Maria?

Most new clients have their first session within a week. You can change therapists at any time, at no cost.