Welcome!
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and I have been providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families seeking transformative growth since 2012, offering counseling across residential, outpatient, and private practice settings, including online platforms to ensure accessible, compassionate care for diverse clients.
Prior to graduating with a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, my background was established in education, working as a Montessori educator in Cambridge, MA and San Diego, CA (2005-2014), where I utilized didactic materials to promote academic growth and social skills for children ages 3-7.
The heart and passion of my work is to provide you with an uninterrupted time and space for you to process and explore your thoughts and feelings and empower you to achieve your goals and realize your full potential. My therapeutic approach is rooted in C. Roger’s person-centered principles, fostering a safe and non-judgmental environment for reflection and self-discovery. I aim to bring clarity, awareness, peace, and harmony, prioritizing self-awareness. As a hope-based therapist, I offer an authentic and honest approach, empowering clients to reframe thoughts, cultivate healthy core beliefs, and tap into their innate resilience. I believe in each individual's inner strength and assist them in uncovering their power to drive positive change. Whether addressing personal growth or relationship issues, I help clients analyze dynamics, establish healthy boundaries, and foster self-worth, providing personalized guidance that resonates with their unique needs.
I possess a robust clinical background, bolstered by esteemed training and experience. I integrate some of the leading, evidence-based psychological modalities. I have worked at McAlister Institute, a renowned outpatient and residential recovery center specializing in addiction and dual diagnoses for teens and adults (2012-2017), applying Motivational Interviewing (MI), the 12-step program, and psycho-education on dependency and generational trauma. Additionally, I have received comprehensive training from the A. Beck Institute, founded by the pioneer of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (2018). I have also gained competence in Internal Family Systems (IFS) through the work of R. Schwartz (2020). Furthermore, I have expanded my expertise by completing the prestigious The Science of Well-Being course at Yale University, enhancing my ability to provide holistic, evidence-based care (2020). Recently, I have augmented my skills through specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (2022) and Narcissistic Emotional Abuse (2023), solidifying my commitment to addressing complex mental health concerns and supporting survivors of emotional abuse.
My areas of specialization include: Mood disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders); Self-esteem and identity issues; ADHD, OCD, and neurodiverse concerns; Relationship dynamics and conflict resolution; Narcissistic emotional abuse recovery; Parenting support and guidance; Substance dependency and co-dependency; Crisis management, stress reduction, and life adjustments.
I look forward to working with you!
Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, ADHD, Codependency, Divorce and separation, Guilt and shame, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Social anxiety and phobia
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
CA LMFT 103865
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Maria Rios. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I have been working with Mrs. Rios for quite some time now and she has helped INCREDIBLY with me going through and working with my depression/anxiety.
Written on Jul 26, 2020 after therapy with Maria for 1 year and 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
While I've only been interacting with Maria for a couple weeks now, she has really organized my thoughts and emotions in a way that is clear to me and why I have certain thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It feels really reassuring knowing that I can share my problems and worries with her and she will be understanding, rather than if I were to vent to a friend, where they might not really understand me. I've really enjoyed my time with Maria so far, and I hope others find that they are worth be listened to and understood.
Written on Jul 22, 2020 after therapy with Maria for 2 weeks
Maria is very understanding and supportive. She is very responsive and really listens to what you have to say and how you feel.
Written on May 16, 2020 after therapy with Maria for 8 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and self esteem
Maria is compassionate and helps me feel heard. Her communication style doesn't make any assumptions and prompts me to come to the answers on my own.
Written on May 14, 2020 after therapy with Maria for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, and parenting issues
I'm actively taking counseling from Maria and she's really been great. She's very genuine with her responses and I feel like she's really gauging who I am. Maria is Thorough with her explanations and she gives me time to process how I'm feeling. She's been encouraging through my journey and I look forward to more learning and processing with her.
Written on May 03, 2020 after therapy with Maria for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, and grief
I worked with Maria for a few months and she was very supportive in helping me through my issues, and she gave me a variety of strategies to try. Ultimately, she does care about her patients and you can tell as much from the timely manner and in-depth responses you receive from her.
Written on Nov 29, 2019 after therapy with Maria for 2 months on issues concerning depression, and self esteem