TR Portrait of Theresa Ridley

Theresa Ridley, MD, LCSW-C

Practical, person-focused help for anxiety and more

25 years in practice · based in Maryland · sessions in English · online sessions

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About Theresa

Theresa Ridley is a licensed clinician with 25 years of experience in Maryland. She uses calm, direct support to help people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and problems with addiction. She works from a client-centered stance, which means she listens first and shapes sessions around each person's needs.

She also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Sessions aim to be practical and easy to use between meetings.

Book with Theresa Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Background and approach

Theresa helps people who are dealing with trauma and abuse, post-traumatic stress, and complex emotional reactions like guilt, shame, or abandonment. She also supports those managing caregiver strain, isolation, and questions about life purpose. Practical coping skills are paired with time to talk through feelings.

People with substance use concerns can work on patterns of impulsivity, control issues, and codependency while addressing underlying emotional pain. Theresa also offers support for hospice and end-of-life counseling and other grief-related needs. Her approach is straightforward and respectful.

She treats each person as the expert on their life and collaborates to build on strengths. The focus is on small, manageable steps that lead to clearer thinking and steadier daily routines.

Approaches that work well online

Theresa uses client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in online sessions. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and following the person's priorities, which helps when someone needs space to talk through stress, grief, or trauma. Cognitive behavioral therapy provides practical tools to spot unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors, useful for anxiety, depression, and addictive patterns.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Theresa collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. She checks in regularly and adjusts the plan as needs change so therapy stays relevant and practical.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls are good for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging let people share thoughts between sessions or check in on difficult days. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving, and other commitments while keeping focus on steady progress and usable skills.
Book with Theresa Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, trauma and abuse, and related issues such as guilt, shame, abandonment, and isolation.
What is her therapy style like?
She uses client-centered work to follow your priorities and cognitive behavioral therapy to teach concrete skills for changing thoughts and behaviors.
How much experience does she have?
Theresa has 25 years of professional experience working with people on a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is licensed in Maryland and lists her practice location as being in that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English only and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Theresa offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Experience
25 years
Licensed
Maryland
Languages
English

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