After earning a Master of International Affairs degree and enjoying a successful ten-year career in investment banking, Maria’s journey of healing trauma in her own life led her to return to school for a second Master’s Degree, in Clinical Social Work. Besides her comprehensive clinical training, she brings a perspective shaped by extensive travel in diverse cultures as a young adult, her experience as a wife and parent, and a life-long search for spiritual understanding.

Maria's early clinical work focused on treating Substance Use Disorders co-occurring with trauma, both in private practice and at Freedom Institute where she treated adults and adolescents, facilitated recovery groups and redesigned portions of the Intensive Outpatient Program to focus more intentionally on successful outcomes. It was at this time that she became extensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and in Psychodrama, developing an appreciation for the value of a multi-disciplinary behavioral and experiential approach to treatment.

Since that time, Maria has furthered her expertise in trauma treatment with post-graduate training in cognitive, behavioral and somatic methods including CPT for PTSD, IFS, and SE™ and with a foundational understanding of polyvagal theory as the underpinning of how these treatment methods complement each other to heal our traumatized nervous systems.

With compassion, discretion and a commitment to excellence in outcomes, Maria has helped countless patients heal, including victims of sexual torture, wrongfully convicted exonerees, the families of prominent politicians, celebrities and businesspeople, 9/11 first responders, emergency room physicians, refugees, the chronically ill and countless others who have suffered the debilitating effects of trauma for much too long.

Maria has a well-earned reputation for effective treatment of complex cases, stemming from years of thoughtfully applying well-researched innovations and a talent for leading clinical teams in collaboration to generate desired results for patients. She is a sought-after international speaker and trainer on topics related to the treatment of PTSD and C-PTSD as it manifests in relational, financial and spiritual challenges.