Maria has a Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and she is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Art Therapist in Oregon. Though initially from the east coast, Maria has worked primarily in SE Alaska and the Willamette Valley with children of all ages and their families and support systems. 

Her focus both during and after graduate work has been with trauma and difficult life experiences, as well as depression and anxiety, developmental delays, foster care and adoption, and behavioral struggles. She has expanded her focus to include intergenerational struggles and families who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Her approach is person-centered, as she very much believes that each human knows what they need to heal and progress, and her job is to assist them in accessing and encouraging their skills and knowledge. She has found that family participation and support can be one of the biggest influences of progress, and she invites family members and other important supports to participate in a child’s therapeutic work.

Though Maria practices Art Therapy, art experience is not needed to participate in art therapy, as creativity is not limited to a specific age, gender, or skill level. Through exploring an expanding field of research and seeing personal growth in sessions, she believes the creative process is a powerful tool for expression, communication, and healing.