LPC-Intern
supervised by
Elizabeth Arredondo, LPC-S
Bilingual in Spanish and English, Maria has a 12 year track record working as a middle school counselor, and as an at risk counselor in the HISD Secondary Disciplinary Alternative Education Program. Maria is able to clearly see strengths in youth whom others may have labeled as "trouble." She practices therapy from a person centered perspective, believing that when youth can see and access their strengths, they are able to solve their own problems. She also recognizes the roles that parents, teachers, and other adults play in children's lives, and she seeks to include those role models and supporters in the work she does.
Maria is comfortable engaging youth both in crisis situations and in long term struggles with anxiety, depression, trauma, and family dysfunction. She has led psycho-educational groups on topics such as social skills, cyber-bullying, impulsivity, equity, empathy, and transitioning to high school. She has engaged teachers, counselors, and parents in topics such as cyber-bullying, and online safety.
Maria is trained in play therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, and utilizes both in her work with youth.
Associations:
- American Counseling Association
- Chi Sigma Iota