Maria Ayala

I'm a licensed clinical social worker and most of the people I see are adults working through anxiety, depression, trauma, or a life transition that knocked the ground out from under them — a job loss, a breakup, a diagnosis, becoming a caregiver. As a social worker, I was trained to look at the whole picture, not just what's happening in your head. Your work, your money, your family, your community, and your history all shape how you're feeling right now, and I take all of it seriously. My goal isn't to hand you a diagnosis. It's to help you feel steadier, and to build something that holds up after therapy ends.

I work collaboratively and practically. We'll spend time understanding the patterns you're caught in — where they came from and what keeps them running — and then work on concrete skills for managing anxiety, setting boundaries, and getting your needs met. I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed approaches, and I adjust to what's actually helping you rather than following a script. I'm also comfortable being direct. If I notice something, I'll name it kindly. And because of my social work background, I'll help you navigate the practical side too — connecting you to resources, coordinating with your other providers, advocating where it's useful. Therapy shouldn't exist in a vacuum from the rest of your life.

The first session is mostly you talking and me listening. I'll ask what brought you in now, what you've tried before, and what you want to be different six months from now. I'll also ask about the practical stuff — your sleep, your support system, what your days actually look like — because that's usually where the answers live. You're in charge of how much you share and how fast. By the end, we'll have named one or two things to focus on and a sense of whether we're a good fit. If I'm not the right therapist for you, I'll say so and help you find someone who is.