Maria C Fritz LIMHP PC

I earned my Master of Science degree Community-Agency Counseling at The University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE. I began my counseling work as a Graduate Assistant in the Counseling Center and the Reach Up Program on UNK Campus. I completed my Internship with The Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney, NE working with At-Risk youth offenders. I worked with Region III in Kearney with community wrap around services for youth and families. I worked for the Nebraska Department of Corrections as a mental health therapist primarily at the Omaha Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility and did training rotations at The Lincoln Correctional Center and The Nebraska State Penitentiary. I worked for Cedars Youth Services as a Program Director for Unity an eight bed Girl's Group Home and then developed and directed the co-ed Treatment Group Home Level of Care program in Lincoln, NE. I worked for a small Private Practice in Crete-Milford area and then developed my Solo Private Practice in Lincoln, NE. I have been privileged to provide mental and behavioral health care as a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner since 2007 and been Licensed as a Mental Health Practitioner since 2002. I primarily practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapeutic approaches and Solution focused interventions. I also believe in the comfort of the human animal bond and I have an Animal Assisted Therapy Dog, Theodore who is in the Office to provide emotional support for the clients that are under my care. He ia a six year old 165lb. Saint Bernard. We are Registered with Pet Partners. My approach to Mental Health Therapy is a Therapeutic relationship between Therapist and Client to develop emotional regulation skills, identify and challenge any distorted perceptions, and learn to adapt to life challenges to empower each person to know that no one is fragile. No one is broken and comes to therapy to get fixed. There is always something to learn about past lived experiences, patterns of response, and attachment styles. No one is bad at anything they have not been taught or practiced. We are simply uninformed and or out of practice and we only become accomplished at what we practice. My job is to work myself out of a job. My philosophy is to enlighten and empower through learning to tolerate discomfort. When we practice age appropriate, reasonable responses to discomfort we know that all emotions have purpose. It is then that we have developed our emotional maturity. Only we can do the work, but we don't have to do it alone. Building self-love and respect helps us to teach others how to love and respect us for more gratifying secure attachments. When we feel securely attached, we know we don’t have to hide parts of ourselves to fit in; We know we belong and all of us is welcome. I am honored by all who have chosen me to help them overcome life challenges and painful circumstances and I am grateful for my future clients who will also choose and thrive because of my care. Extending an invitation to those who wish to be empowered in all areas of their life through enlightenment, self-reflection, empathy and courage. Respectfully, Maria Fritz