Meet Our Founder
Maria Kratsios, LCSW, MA
Founder and Chief Clinical Officer
Maria Kratsios is a trauma therapist and the founder of Nest Behavioral Health, where she brings clinical depth and vision to a compassionate, whole-person approach that goes beyond symptom relief to support thriving and purposeful living. Her path to this work emerged from a deeply personal healing journey, following earlier chapters as an investment banker, wife, and mother—experiences that continue to shape her appreciation for the complexity of the human spirit and the lifelong search for meaning.
Maria began her clinical career working with individuals navigating substance use disorders at a premier non-profit facility where she redesigned core elements of the Intensive Outpatient Program to improve long-term outcomes. During this time, she received extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Psychodrama, sparking her commitment to integrative, experiential therapy.
Over the years, Maria has pursued post-graduate training in evidence-based and somatic modalities, including EMDR, CPT for PTSD, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Somatic Experiencing®. Her work is grounded in Polyvagal Theory, which informs the integrative model she developed at Nest to support individuals living with the enduring effects of developmental trauma.
Known for her clinical insight, discretion, and effectiveness with complex cases, Maria has supported a wide range of individuals—from 9/11 first responders and medical professionals to survivors of torture and wrongful conviction, as well as families navigating ultra wealth and high-profile public life. She is a sought-after speaker and trainer on the treatment of PTSD and developmental trauma, with a focus on how early adversity shapes relational, spiritual, and financial dimensions of life. Maria also facilitates personal growth workshops, advises behavioral health organizations on trauma-informed practices, and is writing a chapter on Post-Traumatic Growth for a forthcoming textbook on Sociometry (Springer, 2026).
We should invite nothing less than complete victory over the psychological, physical and spiritual challenges to achieving the fullness of human potential.
Maria Kratsios, LCSW, MA
Maria’s expertise in trauma is cutting edge. She doesn’t hide behind any one school of thought. Packaged through the lens of Maria, it’s an amalgamated version that just works. I can see the dramatic growth my patients experience when I refer them after I’ve been struggling or stuck. I would send my family member to her.
Henrik Zakari, MD, Addiction Psychiatrist in Private Practice
There’s an energy Maria has. She just cares, and that infuses her trauma-centric approach. Her energy speaks to me personally and professionally.
Trevor Shevin, Founder, Sterling Recovery Services
Media & Events
Maria is grounded in her expertise and that’s how she reads to the room. That’s important when I refer CEOs or anyone who is highly accomplished and has a public presence… very smart people who decide in a flash whether to trust you or not. Maria’s presence helps those people agree to even try to do the work.
Rachel Russell, MA, MHC-LP, Psychotherapist and Independent Consultant