Meet Maria!

Positionality:
I identify as a Latinx bilingual cishet woman. I immigrated from Quito, Ecuador when I was 5 years old, and was raised in a bilingual household in metro-Atlanta ever since!  As a native Spanish speaker,  I can provide therapy in either or both languages based on the needs of my clients.
 
My Background & Approach:

I understand the therapy process can seem intimidating and unapproachable, and it takes courage to reach out to a stranger for support. I am here to demystify and destigmatize the process so that we can embark upon a journey towards healing, growth and self-discovery.  Together, we can explore the challenges in your life and uncover the barriers that are holding you back or keeping you stuck. With me, you will be met with compassion, empathy and curiosity as we work to co-create a therapeutic space that embraces your intersectional identities and empowers you gain clarity of what  you need to be your truest self.

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I firmly believe in the power of a collaborative, authentic, empathic therapeutic relationship to foster resilience and healing. I do not believe in the therapist as an expert who guides the client through therapy; rather, I believe that the client is the expert in their own experience and that my role as a therapist is to facilitate growth, self-awareness and healing by co-creating a nonjudgmental space in which clients are able to delve deeply into the root of their struggles. 

 

I am passionate about creating affirming and healing spaces where BIPOC, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ clients can work through and heal from intergenerational trauma, racial trauma, systemic racism,, and other forms of oppression.  Additionally, I deeply regard the privilege working with those that identify as men/masculine due to the insurmountable statistics concerning men's mental health and the stigmas associated with help-seeking in our society. For me, working with men (particularly those who hold marginalized identities) has been among the most rewarding of my professional experiences.

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Theoretical & Clinical Orientation:

Person-Centered w/ Humanistic and Existential Undertones: I work from a Person-Centered  the foundation that emphasizes authentic relationships, meeting clients where they are, and empowering them to create and reach their own goals. I also incorporate Humanistic and Existential theories as these orientations emphasize understanding a person as a whole: within relationships, within their struggles, within their upbringing, etc. The integration of these approaches enables me to view you as a whole person, not as a checklist of symptoms.

Attachment: Healthy attachments are the cornerstone of meaningful, fulfilling relationships. There is a quote that states, “you can’t move north 15 miles into the forest if you do not know what direction north is.”  I believe it is essential to explore where you have been (what your past relationships and attachments looked and felt like), so that we can determine what direction is your North. 

Culturally Affirming:  As an immigrant and Latinx woman, I understand the challenges that folx in my communities face on the daily. My practice is grounded in social justice and anti-oppression values and I utilize culturally-affirming and anti-racist practices that recognize the unique challenges experienced by racial/ethnic, gender, and sexual minorities. Within my own therapeutic relationships with my clients, I also greatly value the strength that is added to our work when we name the shared similarities and the differences between our own lived experiences, including naming dynamics of power, privilege and oppression.

Credentials

• Licensed Associate Professional Counselor in Georgia (GA License No. APC008886)

• Working under the direction of Dr. Sophia Aguirre Ph.D., CGP, FAGPA and the supervision of Dr. Tyler Wilkinson, Ph.D.,  in pursuit of licensure as Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia

 

Academic Training

• M.S. in Clinical Mental Health at Mercer University

• ​B.S. in Psychology at Kennesaw State University

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Professional Service & Membership

• American Counseling Association- ACA

• Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society

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