MintLeaf
Maria Dimova

Maria Dimova

Online & In-Person
Accepting New Clients

LMFT / Owner of The Ridge Therapy, PLLC

Charlotte, North Carolina

License #00838
www.theridgetherapy.com
Email Me
About Maria
Hi - I'm Maria Dimova (She/Her), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in Charlotte, North Carolina. I take a no-nonsense approach, with a touch of humor, to life’s challenges and mental health. You may look like you have it all together on the outside, but inside you feel overwhelmed, anxious, and exhausted from trying to do it all. Maybe you’re feeling disconnected from your partner, preparing for marriage, or navigating postpartum changes, the demands of motherhood, or a major life transition. Perfectionism may keep you striving without ever feeling “enough,” and the stress can strain your closest relationships. Life can feel like hiking a steep ridge — exhausting, uncertain, and lonely. What you want most is to feel calmer, more balanced, and more connected — both to yourself and with the people who matter most.
How does family therapy work and how can it help?
Family can be both rewarding and challenging. When communication breaks down, old wounds resurface, or roles shift, it can affect your well-being and sense of belonging. Family therapy offers a safe, structured space for adult family members to address conflict, grief, boundaries, and reconnection. Who I Work With Adult families navigating: Long-standing tension or unresolved conflict Loss, grief, or trauma Major life transitions or medical challenges Distance or disconnection among family members What Therapy Can Do Reduce stress and frustration in interactions Foster feeling heard, respected, and valued Support healthier boundaries while maintaining connection Break repetitive, intergenerational patterns Build stronger, more resilient family relationships My Approach I use a systemic perspective and Bowenian Family Therapy to explore patterns, balance individuality and togetherness, and guide difficult conversations safely. Mindfulness is woven throughout to promote emotional regulation and active coping. Every Family Has a Story Whether your goal is healing, reconnection, or creating new patterns, therapy can help you begin again. Contact me today to see if we’re a good fit.
For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?
Therapy doesn’t have to be stiff — it’s a collaborative space to explore your challenges, together. I consider it a privilege to help others uncover their resilience, deepen relationships, and reconnect with their most authentic selves. We will use a systemic lens to foster understanding and guide growth that truly lasts.I am so glad you’ve found your way here. I support women through life’s biggest transitions — from young adulthood to postpartum, motherhood, and midlife — helping ease anxiety, perfectionism, and the stress that comes with major life changes. I also work with couples who want to strengthen communication, deepen intimacy, and build more connected relationships. I am here to help. At the core of my work: easing anxiety, quieting perfectionism, and creating space for healthier, more connected relationships. I help women, couples, and adult families navigate life’s transitions with confidence. Trained by Postpartum Support International, I support mothers through postpartum and motherhood. For couples and pre-marital counseling, I use the Gottman Method and Prepare/Enrich to strengthen communication, intimacy, and connection.
How do you work with clients with grief?
Grief and bereavement aren’t light-hearted topics. Bereavement refers to the process of recovering from the death of a loved one, and grief is a reaction to any form of loss. Both encompass a wide range of emotions such as fear, anger, and deep, deep sadness. The process of adapting to a loss can dramatically change from person to person, depending on his or her background, beliefs, relationship to the person who’s passed, and other factors. The therapy room is a safe space to examine and hold emotions. Every grieving experience is different. A person may be able to continue their day-to-day routine after one loss, yet not be able to get out of bed after the loss of someone else. Whatever your personal symptoms are, grief and bereavement counseling have been proven to help. If you are experiencing grief-related thoughts, behaviors, or feelings that are distressing, please contact me today for a free consultation
What do therapy sessions with you look like?
Think of therapy as a guided climb: I walk alongside you on the ridge, helping you navigate challenges and uncover your strengths. As your therapist, I will advocate for you as we work together to become the healthiest version of yourself.
How do you work with clients with women's issues?
Being a woman today often means juggling responsibilities, relationships, expectations, body image, and emotions — sometimes all at once. Amid it all, it’s easy to lose sight of yourself. I provide a supportive, non-judgmental space where women can slow down, speak honestly, and reconnect with themselves. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, perfectionism, life transitions, hormonal changes, or long-standing self-doubt, therapy can help you feel more grounded, clear, and empowered. How We Work Together I use evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs, including: CBT: shift unhelpful thoughts and build coping skills DBT: strengthen emotional regulation, mindfulness, and resilience Narrative Therapy: explore and rewrite the stories you tell yourself Systemic Perspective: understand how relationships, family, and social factors influence your mental health Together, we’ll explore new perspectives, rewrite unhelpful patterns, and help you find a sense of purpose beyond the roles you play. You deserve care and clarity — I’d be honored to walk with you on this journey, reach out today.
How does couples therapy work and how can it help?
All couples face challenges — whether just starting out, navigating life changes, or feeling stuck in recurring patterns. Relationships don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. Whether you want to repair, reconnect, or prepare for the future, couples therapy can help you build a stronger, more resilient, and intentional relationship. Who I Work With I support couples navigating: Conflict, communication challenges, or recurring arguments Infidelity, betrayal, or loss of trust Parenting or co-parenting stress, including postpartum adjustments Intimacy and emotional closeness Balancing work, family, and relationship demands Major life transitions, career changes, or grief Mental health or chronic illness impacts on the relationship Blended families and extended family dynamics My Approach As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I integrate evidence-based tools like the Gottman Method (Level 1 Trained) and PREPARE/ENRICH assessments, along with a systemic perspective. I work to help couples understand not just what is happening in their relationship, but why, supporting each partner to feel heard, respected, and valued. What We’ll Work On: Strengthening communication and conflict management Rebuilding emotional safety and trust Deepening connection and intimacy Coping with stressors as a team Creating practical strategies for lasting relationship health Reach out here to schedule your first appointment or ask questions to see if you would a good fit — I’d be honored to support you both.
How does the Gottman method work and how can it help?
Relationships can be deeply rewarding — and challenging. The Gottman Method, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, is a research-backed approach that helps couples strengthen connection, improve communication, and manage conflict effectively. What We’ll Work On: Deepening friendship and emotional connection Improving communication and conflict skills Creating shared goals, rituals, and values Repairing negative interaction patterns As a Level 1 Gottman-trained therapist, I help couples practice “repair conversations,” develop rituals of appreciation, and create a roadmap for long-term relationship health. Couples therapy isn’t just for conflict. Many partners seek support to: Rekindle closeness and intimacy Feel more seen and understood Strengthen communication and emotional connection Bring more joy and intentionality into daily life Together, we’ll focus on the foundation of a thriving relationship — your friendship system — while building connection, resilience, and shared meaning. Contact me today to see if Gottman Method therapy is a good fit for your partnership. Contact The Ridge today to enrich your relationship!
How do you work with clients with pregnancy, prenatal, postpartum issues?
Motherhood can be joyful and fulfilling — but it can also feel overwhelming, identity-shifting, and emotionally complex. I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space to process your experiences, whether you’re facing postpartum anxiety, depression, grief, or the growing pains of a changing identity. Common postpartum symptoms include: Feeling overwhelmed and wondering if you should have become a mother in the first place Feeling guilty due to high self-expectations Not feeling “bonded” with the baby Your thoughts are racing and you can’t quiet your mind Feeling empty and numb, as if you’re just going through the motions Lack of focus and concentration Being afraid that if you reach out for help, others will judge your inabilities Thoughts of running away or leaving your baby behind Being constantly in a state of worry If any of this resonates, reaching out for support can make a difference. My Approach I work from a systemic, strengths-based perspective, seeing you in the context of your relationships, culture, and identity. Using evidence-based practices informed by perinatal mental health research and training through Postpartum Support International (PSI), I support mothers in navigating hormone changes, personal history, and social support challenges. Together, we’ll explore your experience in a space that’s free of judgment — and full of care, curiosity, and compassion. Contact The Ridge today to begin your journey.
Interested in talking?
Email Me
Office Location
212 E Tremont Avenue Suite C
Charlotte, North Carolina 28203
Get Directions
Costs and Insurance
$135 - 155 per session
Sliding Scale
Out of Pocket
Specialties
Anxiety
Family Therapy
Grief
Individual Therapy
Infertility
Parenting
Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
Client Focuses
White
Straight / Heterosexual
Age Groups
Adult
Elders (65+)
Approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Attachment-based
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Family Systems