LCSW, 20 years of experience
Frequently rebooked
Hi! I’m Maria and I’m passionate about helping people make fulfilling changes. I specialize in eating disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, adjustment, and emotional regulation. I have a collaborative and eclectic style, which helps me personalize the care I offer my clients. My goal is to understand what you need, so you can have a life that is more fulfilling. I always say "the real work happens between sessions". I'm here to offer a road map so your goals don't feel so out of reach. Are you ready to make a change, but don't know where to begin? Let's do this!
First sessions can be scary. We'll start with brief introductions, then discuss what led you to take this important step. We'll also discuss expectations and goals, so we can be on the same page throughout our work together.
One of my favorite things about the work I do is really developing a relationship with my client. Truly allowing someone to be known as a whole person. I offer a space the feels warm and safe enough to dive into what is really keeping you feeling “stuck.” We will work together to get you moving towards what really matters in your life. Therapy can be difficult, and the rewards endless. I’m excited for the opportunity to help you reap those rewards.
I love working with people who are motivated to make changes to their thoughts and behaviors. They appreciate a warm light-hearted approach, infused with gentle humor. They want to live a more fulfilling life, just unable to do so because of their pain.
I’m a collaborative and eclectic therapist. You will always know yourself more than I'll know you. You are the expert of your experience. I am the expert in treatment. I've been trained in many treatment methods to manage mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and trauma. Together we find the right tools to help you understand and manage what ails you.
I use the principles of CBT to assist in treating depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. You'll learn about what thoughts are keeping you in the negative feeling cycle, while learning how to become an active participant in your life through "behavioral activation" techniques.
I've been using techniques of DBT with my clients for many years. What I find great about DBT is you begin to take ownership of your experience, which then leads to making choices that are more effective for your goals. You learn techniques of mindfulness, so you can better understand how to regulate your emotions and tolerate the distress related to stressful situations. DBT also teaches you techniques of communicating and setting boundaries safely.
Working with Veterans and military for over 16 years, I'm worked with folks that have experienced all types of trauma (sexual assault, combat, intimate partner violence, natural disasters, accidents, childhood abuse). I understand that trauma isn't "one size fits all" and the impact of traumatic experiences can last a long time. Through a trauma-informed lens, I will allow you to feel safe and supported while you tackle some of your hardest experiences.
ACT focuses on what is important to you, your values. These values become the driver of how you move through your life, not your thoughts and emotions. You'll learn to build more flexibility in your experience, through acceptance of the moment.