My name is Maria, and I’m a first-generation Mexican American licensed therapist (or counselor if you prefer!) based in Pittsburgh, PA. Originally born and raised in the Bay Area in CA, the past 8 years have been quite the journey, one that continues to unfold.

The majority of my therapeutic experience revolves around working with relational trauma, navigating ADHD challenges, enhancing communication skills, setting boundaries, exploring and understanding historical trauma and its somatic manifestations, addressing first-generation challenges, assisting Latine clients with cultural issues, managing life transitions, and navigating White spaces as a BIPOC. Additionally, I guide clients in normalizing the human experience—a collective journey felt on a global scale, often compounded by internalized shame, embarrassment, and self-punishment due to systemic oppression. I firmly believe in normalizing certain emotions and thoughts as shared collective experiences, rather than pathologizing them excessively.

My work is trauma-informed, and I integrate psychoeducation throughout sessions, often using analogies to render clinical terms more relatable. Depending on your needs and goals, I employ various therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relational Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy, always maintaining a person-centered approach.

Recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy, I tailor my therapeutic approach to meet your specific needs and goals. I approach therapeutic work through the lens of “What happened to you” rather than “What is wrong with you,” fostering connection and building a therapeutic relationship through humor and understanding.

Outside of my therapist role, you’ll often find me exploring new bubble tea shops in Squirrel Hill/The Strip (with occasional visits to Lawrenceville and Robinson), on a perpetual quest for authentic Mexican street tacos and Japanese and Korean bakeries. I dedicate hours to my favorite video games, chip away at my reading list, delve into research on spiritual practices aligning with my ancestral roots, and catch up on anime, TV, and movies. I cherish time spent socializing with friends and loved ones back home in CA and seize every opportunity to travel.

As for my current entertainment preferences:

- Video games: Final Fantasy 7 (2024/1997), Stardew Valley, Hogwarts Legacy

- Shows: Law & Order SVU (Seasons with Benson and Stabler), Fallout, Rewatch of The Fall of the House of Usher

- Anime: Jujutsu Kaisen (re-watch), Demon Slayer, classics such as Cowboy Bebop, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Princess Mononoke, and Howls’ Moving Castle

- Current Fictional Book: Ninth House

Feel free to reach out, and let’s embark on this journey together towards healing and growth.