Marsha Hicks (Richards)

Marsha Hicks (Richards) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 21 years of experience. She draws on humanistic, strengths-based ideas to help people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, low self-esteem, and changes in life circumstances. Her style is straightforward and focused on what each person needs right now. She practices in Florida and works with English-speaking clients, including international clients.

Marsha earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Stony Brook University, School of Social Welfare and has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings since 2004. That variety of practice gives her experience with both individual and group work across the lifespan. Her background includes treating people who have both mental health concerns and substance use issues.

In sessions she blends several approaches rather than relying on just one. She draws from attachment-based ideas to explore relational patterns and from cognitive behavioral techniques to address unhelpful thinking and behavior. Dialectical behavior strategies and client-centered methods are used to build emotion regulation and strengthen the therapeutic relationship.

Marsha also uses existential themes when clients are facing big life questions or transitions. She focuses on helping people identify values and make meaningful choices during times of change. Expect practical tools alongside time to reflect on personal meaning.

Her practice emphasizes collaboration and real-world problem solving. She aims to help people cope with life changes, improve communication, manage mood or impulsivity, and reduce symptoms that interfere with daily living.

How therapeutic approaches adapt to online work

Marsha blends attachment-based, client-centered, and cognitive behavioral ideas into her work. Attachment-based approaches look at relationship patterns and how they affect emotions and trust, which can help when people have trouble connecting or notice repeated conflicts. Client-centered work focuses on listening, empathy, and meeting each person where they are, which supports exploration of values and choices. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and teaches practical skills to change them.

Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide whether to emphasize skill-building, relational exploration, or values work as sessions progress.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example it can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins during a work break, or avoid needing to be on camera when that feels difficult. Licensed professionals can adapt these therapy methods to remote sessions to focus on coping with life changes, mood management, communication skills, and practical problem solving.