About Maria Raikova
Maria Raikova is a Licensed Social Worker who works with children, teens, and adults navigating anxiety, mood challenges, trauma, and executive functioning difficulties. She creates a supportive, collaborative environment where clients feel empowered to explore their experiences and build meaningful change.
Maria believes every client is the expert of their own life. Her role is to guide, challenge, and support — not to dictate. She approaches therapy as a partnership, grounded in curiosity, respect, and the belief that growth happens when clients feel both heard and understood.
Education & Background
Maria earned her Master’s in Social Work from University of Illinois Chicago.
Before joining the team, she worked at a non-profit agency providing individual counseling to clients across the lifespan with diverse presenting concerns. Earlier in her training, Maria interned at Alternatives Chicago, where she focused on substance use prevention among youth and contributed to research evaluating program effectiveness.
She also completed an internship at Wheeling High School, supporting both general and special education students. In addition to managing crisis situations, she facilitated therapeutic groups and organized monthly community outreach events — reflecting her commitment to supporting mental health within both school and community systems.
Areas of Focus
Maria supports clients experiencing:
- Anxiety and chronic stress
- Depression
- Trauma
- ADHD and executive functioning challenges
- Self-esteem concerns
- Substance use concerns
She works with children, adolescents, and adults who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward. Maria has particular strength in helping clients build emotional awareness while developing practical tools to manage daily stressors and long-term goals.
Therapeutic Approach
Maria practices from a strengths-based perspective and integrates evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI).
She prioritizes collaboration and adaptability, tailoring sessions to meet each client’s developmental stage, personality, and goals. Maria believes therapy should feel empowering — a space where insight and skill-building work together to create lasting change.
More About Maria
Outside of the therapy room, Maria loves traveling and learning about new cultures, reading thrillers, and trying new restaurants with friends. She speaks five languages: Bulgarian (her native language), Serbian, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese and values the connection that comes from understanding people across cultures and communities.