Maria Thibodeau

My journey into the mental health field was deeply influenced by my background in the arts. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Southern Connecticut State University and spent six years as a middle school art educator. This experience sparked my appreciation for creative expression as a powerful therapeutic tool. I later earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Bridgeport and gained valuable clinical experiences at community and private outpatient services working with children, teens, adults, families and geriatric population.

My approach is to offer a safe, welcoming environment where you feel supported in navigating life's ups and downs. I utilize a wide range of evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and expressive arts therapy to help clients build effective coping skills.

In your first session, we will focus on building a comfortable, collaborative relationship where you feel safe sharing your story and what brings you to therapy. Together, we’ll discuss your current life stressors, background, and what you hope to achieve through our work together. My goal is to listen without judgment, address any questions you have, and begin mapping out realistic, achievable steps to support your healing and personal growth.