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Hello, I'm Maria 

I’m deeply passionate about supporting individuals on their journeys of healing, growth, and self-discovery. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, earned a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Florida. ​My journey into connecting with others through healing began early in life, serving as a peer counselor throughout my primary and secondary education. Since childhood, I’ve been captivated by psychology, astrology, spirituality, and the power of play. 

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I take a holistic approach that honors the integration of mind, body, and spirit, helping individuals explore personal growth, navigate life transitions, deepen self-awareness, and build healthy boundaries. In my free time, I enjoy reading, movement practices, rituals, writing poetry, intentional solitude, and spending meaningful moments with family, friends, and my beloved pets. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that reconnecting with your inner wisdom opens the door to a more fulfilling and authentic life.

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My Training Background

EMDR 

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is  helps individuals process and heal from traumatic memories. By using bilateral stimulation, EMDR facilitates the reprocessing of these memories, reducing emotional charge and allowing for healthier cognitive and emotional integration. I am trained in EMDR Levels 1 and 2, enabling me to effectively support clients in addressing trauma and other distressing life events.

Gottman Informed 

The Gottman Method is a research-based approach to couples therapy that focuses on enhancing communication, fostering emotional connection, and resolving conflict in relationships. It is designed to help couples build healthier, more fulfilling relationships. I am trained in Gottman Method Levels 1 and 2, allowing me to apply proven strategies to support couples in strengthening their bond. 

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Yoga & Breathwork

With 300 hours of training in yoga, I integrate yoga and breathwork into therapy from a trauma-informed perspective. These practices help individuals reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and release stored tension. By fostering mindfulness and presence, yoga and breathwork support clients in navigating trauma and cultivating a deeper sense of safety and self-awareness.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a body-centered therapy approach that helps individuals process trauma and emotional distress by focusing on the connection between body sensations, emotions, and thoughts. I am trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1 and currently undergoing training in Level 2, allowing me to guide clients in healing through both mind and body integration.

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Depth-Oriented Approaches

I blend depth-oriented, Jungian-inspired frameworks like active imagination, dreamwork, and an exploratory symbolic approach, guiding clients through embodied alchemy. Through personal studies, personal work, and Jungian oriented trainings, I  help clients explore their healing through symbolic expression and the transformative power of imagery, symbols and stories.

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Vedic Astrology

Vedic Sidereal Astrology offers a unique lens to explore the universe’s rhythms and the cycles of time that shape our lives. This practice can illuminate self-understanding, relational challenges, and deepen your connection to the world and the energy available to you. Since 2010, I have been refining my craft through rigorous training. I offer individual, relationship, and transit analysis, and identifying auspicious time to align with your intention.

Somatic Parts Work

Somatic Parts Work is a therapeutic approach that integrates the mind-body connection by exploring how different parts of the self hold emotions and experiences in the body. It helps individuals process trauma, regulate emotions, and achieve self-integration through body awareness. I am trained in Somatic Parts Work Levels 1 through 3, allowing me to guide clients in healing through both emotional and physical integration.

Attachment-Based & Polyvagal Frameworks

I use Attachment-Based Therapy and Polyvagal Theory to help individuals heal emotional wounds and build healthier connections. These frameworks explore how early relationships shape behavior and how the nervous system regulates emotional responses, fostering safety and healing at a deep, physiological level.

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Hasta Samudrika

Indian Palmistry is an ancient practice that interprets the markings on the hands, offering insight into varying aspects of life. The hand can act as a  mirror, reflecting nature, patterns of conditioning, and deeper layers of consciousness. By understanding these markings, we connect with the current of unseen forces shaping our lives. Wilder Penfield's mapping of the brain, shows how deeply connected our hands are to our brain, highlighting their role in reflecting our physical and emotional experiences. 

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Light on Therapy is inspired by the journey through life’s in-between spaces and transformative phases. These liminal moments reveal the beauty of embracing every step of growth and healing as part of an ever-unfolding process.​ When life doesn’t go as planned, when efforts fall short, or when pain feels unseen, these moments often hold the key to our most profound growth. They ask us to expand our minds, open our hearts, and discover the brilliance waiting within.​ At Light on Therapy, we honor the hues within healing—the light and the shadow, the bold and subtle—as vital threads in the fabric of transformation. By welcoming all parts of our journey, we find clarity, connection, and the courage to shine.

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