Grief counselors and therapists in Irvine, CA

Welcome — I’m Maria, and I help children, families, and individuals who are navigating grief, loss, anxiety, depression, or life changes that feel heavy to carry alone. You may be feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to express what you’re going through. My goal is to offer a warm, safe space where you feel heard, supported, and understood.

Feeling off, overwhelmed, or stuck? You deserve support as you work through this part of your life ❤️ I specialize in helping people navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, stress, and other common human experiences, such as grief and loss, changes in mood, and major life changes.

My practice is the result of 7+ years of experience helping people across private practice, outpatient community mental health, correctional settings, and intensive outpatient care. I use evidence-based strategies to help clients build practical coping skills, manage difficult emotions, and navigate challenges in a way that fits their life and circumstances.

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or unsure about the next step. My goal is to create a safe space where you feel heard, understood, and supported. Together, we'll work through challenges at your pace and help you move towards healing, feeling balanced, and gaining a clearer sense of direction.

I offer early morning sessions into the early afternoon for early risers, busy schedules, and for those who want to start their day feeling supported!

I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), working in private practice as a Psychotherapist. I live in Los Angeles, and work in-person or hybrid, with adults, teens, couples and the aging population. I specialize in anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, work stress/dissatisfaction, career goals, sleep disorders, substance use, trauma (ptsd/complex/acute), obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD/OCPD), attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD). In addition I deal with grief, isolation, and breaking creative blocks.

My journey into mental health began with a deep interest in the intersection of human behavior and emotional resilience.

I enjoy working with adolescents and adults going through life transitions and experiencing trauma. My current practice includes individual treatment helping adults with anxiety and depression, self-esteem/confidence, grief, trauma and life transitions! Finding a therapist with whom you connect with is important.

Over the past 14 years, I have worked in a variety of settings, including private practice, community clinics and public school settings. These experiences have shaped my belief that therapy is not a "one-size-fits-all" process, but rather a collaborative partnership built on trust and evidence-based strategies!

I hold a Master of Social Work from California State Long Beach as well as a Bachelor of Social Work from Azusa Pacific University..

I have worked with a variety of clients of all ages and cultural backgrounds. My primary focus has been on individual therapy but enjoy working with couples and families as well. I bring empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness to all of my therapy sessions.

I specialize in helping clients navigating trauma, anxiety, panic disorder, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, grief, & much more. I earned my MSW from New York University in 2011 and have worked as a forensic social worker in NYC at The Legal Aid Society & have also worked with Gay Men's Health Crisis, Services for the Underserved, Footsteps & Office of the Appellate Defender. I moved to Los Angeles in 2017 and have been in private practice since 2018.

As a License Marriage and Family Therapist I believe that your upbringing can really shape up how you precieve the world. It shapes your relationships in both your personal relationships and in your work life. Lets work together in healing that inner child. My approach is nurturing, compassionate and at your pace. I am a psychotherapist with extensive experience working with community based Mental health setting including high level of care population and crisis intervention.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and PhD with 25 years experience working with adults, children and youth. My goal is to help you in your path towards feeling better, and experiencing an improved sense of confidence, self-esteem and functioning in your life. My specialties include adoption issues, LGBTQ issues and women's issues. I also specialize in depression, anxiety, elderly issues, disability, and stress reduction.