Maria is a bilingual therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting children and families. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Registered Play Therapist (RPT), Certified Clinical Sandtray Therapist (CCST), and Registered Sandtray Therapist (RST). Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to serving the Latin community and helping families navigate emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges through culturally responsive, family-centered care.

Maria earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Universidad del Noroeste in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, in 2002. After moving to the United States, she completed a Master of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy at Our Lady of the Lake University in Houston, Texas, in 2009. She later obtained her LPC and LMFT licenses in Texas and continued to pursue advanced training in child and family therapy. She became a Registered Play Therapist in 2023, a Certified Clinical Sandtray Therapist in 2025, and a Registered Sandtray Therapist through the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals in 2026.

Throughout her career, Maria has specialized in working with children, using play as a developmentally appropriate and powerful tool for expression, healing, and growth. She integrates Play Therapy with evidence-based and relational approaches, including Child-Centered Play Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Collaborative Therapy, and Gestalt Therapy. She provides services in both English and Spanish, allowing clients to engage in therapy in the language in which they feel most comfortable and connected.

Maria’s clinical work is deeply informed by her personal experience of growing up in Mexico and later immigrating to the United States. This journey has given her a unique understanding of cultural transitions, bicultural identity, intergenerational relationships, and the challenges many immigrant and first-generation families face. She brings this perspective into her work with empathy, humility, and cultural sensitivity.

While Maria specializes in working with children, she firmly believes that lasting change occurs when caregivers are actively involved in the therapeutic process. She partners closely with parents to strengthen attachment relationships, improve communication, understand behavior through a developmental and cultural lens, and build confidence in their parenting journey.

Maria’s approach is warm, collaborative, and compassionate. She is passionate about creating safe spaces where children feel seen and understood, parents feel supported, and families can grow together. Her work reflects a deep belief in the resilience of families and the healing power of play, connection, and culturally attuned care.