Hi! My name is Maria, and I am a licensed psychotherapist, qualified supervisor, and evaluator in Florida. I have been working in mental and behavioral health, providing therapy to children, adolescents, and adults since 2015.

I’m deeply curious about people. I’ve always been a learner at heart. I love to read, to listen, and to understand the many ways people experience the world. I’ve lived in Ecuador, Canada, and the United States, and those experiences shaped how I see others. I am committed to creating an affirming, inclusive space where all individuals feel seen, respected, and supported.

Moving between cultures taught me to pay attention, to stay open, and to appreciate the different ways people think, feel, and make meaning of their lives.

At the same time, those experiences reinforced something simple and grounding. While our stories may look different on the surface, the core of the human experience is shared. Emotions are universal. We all want to feel understood, connected, and at peace within ourselves.

The way I show up, both in my work and in my life, is guided by a few core values: love, perspective, humor, and honesty. These are not just ideas to me. They are things I actively practice, and they shape the way I connect with the people I work with.

This work is more than a career. It is something I feel a deep connection to. I cannot imagine doing anything else. Being able to help someone understand how their past experiences have shaped their beliefs, patterns, and how they see themselves, while also holding space for their pain and supporting them as they move forward, is something I consider a privilege.

I have recently expanded my practice to include psychological evaluations for immigration cases. These evaluations provide a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s mental health and the emotional impact of trauma, hardship, or potential family separation, and are often used to support legal proceedings. This work is deeply important to me. As someone from a multicultural background, I recognize the privilege I hold and feel a strong responsibility to use my skills to support individuals navigating an often-overwhelming, complex system.

In many ways, this work feels like my purpose. I believe therapy can nourish and restore. Not only for the person seeking it but also for the therapist. When done with intention, honesty, and care, it becomes a shared human experience that allows both people in the room to grow.