Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Escondido, CA

I’m Maria, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over twelve years of experience working with families, children, and adults. My work has focused on breaking generational cycles of trauma and navigating challenging life transitions. In my work I have supported individuals and families through growing up, raising their children, and bringing healing and harmony into the home. I am deeply passionate about helping others on their journeys toward personal growth and a better quality of life and consider it a gift to be an agent of change.

In addition to my clinical work, I am also a working mother of a college student and clinically supervise and train other clinicians. This experience gives me a unique perspective and understanding on navigating life transitions and balancing multiple roles.

My approach is warm, affirmative, and solution-oriented – with some humor mixed in. While it can feel intimidating to take that first step, if you are ready, I can guide you in finding areas of strength while also challenging areas for growth in a compassionate way. Together we can work toward healing in a safe environment and create positive change to improve your quality of life.

In addition to my training and experience, I truly care about and respect my clients. It's an honor to assist them in resolving issues and challenges that block their ability to and experience joy and happiness in a troubled world. Being a therapist is not just a job for me, it is my calling.

I believe therapy should be a place where you don't have to keep holding everything together.

Many of the women I work with are thoughtful, capable, and deeply committed to the people they love. They're balancing careers, motherhood, relationships, and countless responsibilities, yet internally feel anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted.

I specialize in supporting overwhelmed working moms and high-achieving women navigating anxiety, postpartum mental health, fertility and IVF, burnout, and major life transitions. I also provide culturally responsive therapy for AAPI adults navigating family expectations, identity, and cultural stress.

I hope that you'll feel understood from the very beginning and know you don't have to carry everything on your own.

My practice is dedicated to supporting women and couples. Practice specializations include:

Relationship Issues

Couples

Stress Management

Finding Meaning & Purpose

Mid-life Support

Adult ADHD

My specific knowledge and experience is essential, and provides you with the relief and practical support you need to heal, allowing you to use a difficult time in your life to grow in ways that will make your life better than ever.

As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I am dedicated to helping people feel like themselves again. I provide compassionate, evidence based care for anxiety and depression, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions.My goal is to create a judgement free space where patients feel heard and receive personalized treatment that fits their lives

Clients working with me can expect a therapeutic experience rooted in restorative care, cultural authenticity, and deep respect for their lived story. At Cultivating A Better Me, healing is not defined solely by symptom reduction—it is a process of rebuilding inner safety, strengthening emotional resilience, and reconnecting with the parts of yourself that deserve to be seen, honored, and supported.

My clinical foundation began at Sacramento Head Start, where I learned the profound impact of compassion, early intervention, and family‐centered support. With advanced training in Early Childhood Development and Counseling Psychology, I bring specialized expertise in disruptive behaviors, trauma‐responsive care, and expressive‐arts‐based healing.

Within my practice, clients are invited into a space where they can slow down, breathe, and explore their experiences without judgment. I integrate evidence‐based practices with creativity, narrative work, and culturally grounded approaches that honor identity, community, and personal agency.

Most importantly, clients should know that I show up with presence, authenticity, and a deep commitment to helping them cultivate meaningful, sustainable change. Healing is a collaborative journey—and I walk alongside you with compassion, clarity, and support.