I am a bilingual LCSW with over 10 years of experience working in the human services field; focusing on mental health, behavior, and non-profit work. I grew up in Los Angeles, Ca., completed my Master of Social Work at Fordham University in the Bronx, NY., and currently reside in Ocala, Fl. As an LCSW I treat clients from across the lifespan with varying therapeutic needs by applying an integrative approach to treatment. Some of my areas of experience include treating family systems and individuals navigating intergenerational trauma, parents and children dealing with challenging behavior, neurodivergent populations, and individuals with a desire to better understand themselves and the maladaptive behaviors causing distress, mood issues, and anxiety. Areas of specialty include working with young adults navigating life after high school, parenting individuals/partners, and those who identify as Latina women struggling to balance relationships, family, individual needs, and independence. I believe that everyone and their experiences are unique, this is why I meet clients where they are in their life journey, empowering them to find and enhance solutions and coping skills that meet their needs. Although I am trained in CBT and DBT these interventions are only a part of my integrative approach to treatment. Client-centered care remains at the center of treatment; as there is not one single intervention that is best for all. Your treatment is yours, together we will create a treatment plan that empowers you.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first session, my focus is on understanding you and your unique needs. I like to remind clients that therapy takes time, it is ok to choose to keep information to yourself, you will share when you are ready. I will ask about the symptoms you're experiencing, your personal history, and the changes you hope to see in your daily life. This session is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions—whether about treatment options, my therapeutic approach, or the factors influencing your current experiences.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
One of my strengths is working with Latina women who struggle to balance life, work, and career demands. As a first-generation Mexican, I deeply understand the impact of acculturation on our well-being and relationships. The stressors Latinas face are unique, often shaped by generational differences within our community, which can influence how our strengths are perceived. Many Latinas come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, questioning whether they are doing enough or if they truly belong. In our sessions, we explore these emotions and stressors, giving them meaning and context. Through this process, I help clients gain clarity, develop effective coping skills, and create the balance they deserve.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I thoroughly enjoy my role as a therapist and enjoy working with a variety of populations. However, I am most experienced in supporting those who identify as; women, Hispanic, immigrant, neurodivergent, caregivers, and those who struggle with mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, intergenerational trauma, immature family systems, life transitions, and difficulty establishing boundaries.
About Maria Cevallos
Identifies as
Specializes in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Attachment-based
Many of my clients present to session due to exposure to immature parents and relationships. In sessions we explore how early relationships with caregivers and others whom we are close to have shaped current emotional patterns, self-perception, and interpersonal connections. Through a secure therapeutic relationship, we foster emotional safety, trust, and corrective experiences, allowing clients to develop healthier attachment styles and improve their relationships.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
By using structured techniques such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and coping skills training, I empower clients to develop healthier thinking patterns and more effective ways of managing stress and emotions. Through CBT we learn to harness the power of yet.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
In sessions clients learn to balance acceptance and change by learning skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Through a structured and validating approach, clients are supported in managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and developing healthier coping strategies.
Trauma-Focused CBT
This form of CBT focuses on the traumas that may have disrupted our lives. TF-CBT helps clients process and heal from traumatic experiences by combining trauma-sensitive interventions with cognitive-behavioral techniques. Through gradual exposure, cognitive restructuring, and coping skills training, clients learn to reduce trauma-related distress, improving emotional regulation, and developing a healthier sense of safety and control.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
This is crucial to most interventions especially trauma or anxiety work. Mindfulness helps clients cultivate present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance of their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Through practices like meditation, breathwork, and mindful observation, clients can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and develop a greater sense of inner balance and resilience.