—MEET MARIA
I am a neurodivergent psychologist, parent of neurodivergent children, an advocate, a resource finder, and a person who believes that humor belongs in hard rooms.
Meet Maria- a genuine connection starts here.
Across more than 20 years in clinical, school, and research settings, I have learned that children who are most misunderstood do not need a focus on compliance, consequenes, or a stricter manual. They need adults curious to wonder what’s happening beneath the surface.
Parenthood made that understanding personal. I know what it is like to navigate systems, search for the right support, advocate at school, and worry about what comes next. That experience keeps me humble about what professional expertise can —and cannot —tell us on its own.
The synergy of my professional and personal experiences as a bilingual psychologist and graduate of Widener’s doctoral program, has helped me recognize the importance of what is happening with the underlying current for the child, in addition to observable factors impacting the child and family.
It is my aim to help the family and child to look inward and embrace the value of understanding the inner compass experience. This can help us to guide the child and family back to a place where they feel more regulated and ready to move forward.
When we understand what’s underneath, we can support what comes next.
— A BIT ABOUT ME
Authentic relationships are part of the work.
I believe healing happens through authentic relationships. When you meet me, you’ll meet a licensed psychologist with years of experience, but you also will meet the same Maria I bring to everyday life: curious, compassionate, genuine, and fully present.
The importance of values based care.
Providing values-based care keeps my practice aligned with how I want to provide care. It also helps me build a robust network of options for caregivers who are parenting a child who is following their own map rather than the one their parents are trying to use.
These families recognize that by integrating the input from their child this helps them to plot their own course as they co-create their own new map which allows them to move forward.
Not all children learn best in traditional school settings
The world needs all kinds of brains, yet public school often does not know how to support them.
For families choosing an alternative learning journey, taking an individualized path can shift a child from distress and struggling to flourishing.
My connection with Jacob’s Ladder is a personal one, and I am so thankful for their ability to connect and meet my child where he was. Their affirming approach to connecting with children in nature helped me feel hope. I am eternally thankful for their support and to have a child-centered option to recommend for caregivers.
Providing a better way.
The focus within schools on observable behavior, compliance, and consequences has the potential for harm to children and educators, especially when there is the use of seclusion and restraint.
I am proud to be one of the inaugural members of EndSarNJ as the Lead on the Parent committee initially as a volunteer, and now a Board Member.
Surrounded by a group of passionate professional women, we are committed to keeping students and educators safe.
In my role on the Parent Committee, as a volunteer, I provide free confidential support to caregivers whose children have experienced seclusion and restraint in a free monthy support group the second Friday of every month from 7-8 pm. Individual support is also available. We are here to support you. Please reach out if we can support you in some way.
—APPROACHES THAT GUIDE MY WORK
Training, frameworks, and values I draw from.
Tina Bryson and Play Strong: Play Therapy, Interpersonal Neurobiology and Neurodiversity Conference: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Treatment with the Brain in Mind
Have a question or want to connect?
Please reach out through my quick inquiry form and we’ll schedule a free, no-pressure chat. We can explore if I am a good fit and if so, our next steps. I will be in touch within 2-3 business days.