Maria’s Story

I earned an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and an M.A. in Organizational Development & Human Resources from the University of San Francisco. Additionally, I am a Certified Trainer and Developer, from U.C. Berkeley Extension and an advanced Somatic Trauma student from the Institute for Human Enrichment.  I am also a certified Conflict Resolution facilitator from the Community Boards of San Francisco. I have worked in public and non-profit sectors serving youth for over 15 years. I worked as the Director of “People for the American Way”, leading a nationwide race relations program for our youth. I worked as the Coordinator of the San Francisco Peer Resource Program, coaching teens on skills to be counselors among their peers.  While engaged in these capacities, I taught active listening, conflict resolution, self- soothing and helping skills.  I worked as a Behavioral Health Counselor in several high schools in San Francisco to resolve and/or improve mental health issues.