Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in San Rafael, CA

I have found a calling that allows me to bring my full self – head, heart, and soul – to my work.

I found this calling after a fulfilling career in social services. In addition to working as a teacher, program manager, policy advocate, and peer counselor, I have also married, raised a family, coached youth sports, and pursued mindful self-care, creativity, and personal growth.

I earned my Bachelor’s in English from Harvard and my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute.

Anxiety and perfectionism have turned your mind into a battleground. Your inner critic nitpicks every interaction, leaving you exhausted by thoughts of “Damnit, why can’t I just be better!” Painful memories get louder, no matter how hard you try to ignore them. Daily invalidations of your Latina, queer, or immigrant identity sting, and you feel isolated as you keep your suffering to yourself. You’ve tried everything: doom scrolling, drinking, and self-help books, but nothing has worked. You're left feeling hopeless and weighed down.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (NY & CA) with an MSW from NYU and a BA in Communications from Northwestern. With 14 years as a professional actor and teaching artist, I incorporate creativity into my eclectic therapeutic approach, which includes CBT, mindfulness, expressive arts, and psychodynamics. I specialize in supporting clients with anxiety, depression, identity exploration, relational challenges, and personal growth.

Struggling with depression & identity through childhood, diagnosed with ADHD as an adult— I know about "not reaching [your] potential," and feeling like everything is a struggle.

Beginning in middle school as a volunteer, I gained over 20 years of experience with a range of developmental and other issues before beginning grad school.

Since earning my license, my work has focused primarily on adults and teens with ADHD & ASD, chronic depression, LGBTQIA+ & identity issues.

I’m passionate about helping those who need help mentally and emotionally

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m Maria Zavala, a Bilingual/Bicultural Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California. I offer a warm, supportive space where you can show up exactly as you are. I work with individuals navigating stress, life transitions, identity exploration, and emotional challenges, with a strong focus on culturally responsive care. My goal is to help you feel seen, understood, grounded, and safe while we gently explore what’s been weighing on you and begin creating a path forward that feels authentic, steady, and truly yours.

I'm an open minded individual and welcome any topics in treatment

My passion is for helping others get unstuck and flourish! The focus of my practice is geared toward helping you develop affirming responses and positive interpretations of what has happened in your life. I will help you have agency and integrity in the midst of a life transition or challenge that has you feeling stuck or out of ways to help yourself.