Mariam Ross, LICSW

How attachment work and skills translate to online therapy

Attachment-based work looks at how early and ongoing relationships affect how people feel and connect today. This approach helps spot patterns that make relationships stressful and gives practical steps to try new ways of relating. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a warm, nonjudgmental listening stance so people can talk through what matters most and feel heard during sessions.

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches concrete skills for managing anxiety, low mood, and unhelpful behaviors. Together these approaches let Mariam blend emotional understanding with skill-building so clients both process feelings and practice different responses. Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, life circumstances, and preferences, and they will choose techniques together. That collaborative process helps shape what therapy focuses on and how sessions proceed.

Online formats - video, phone, live chat, and text messaging - make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives. Video calls let people read facial cues and share screen-based worksheets. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or for a quieter check-in. Live chat and text messaging are useful for short updates, skill coaching between meetings, or when typing feels easier than talking. These options give flexibility while keeping the focus on practical strategies and relational change.