Dr. Maritza Kerekes

Do you find yourself constantly putting others' needs ahead of your own? Saying yes when you want to say no? Maybe you've spent years being the dependable one, the fixer, the caretaker, the peacekeeper, and somewhere along the way you lost sight of who you are and what you deserve. If your sense of worth depends on being needed, or you feel guilty the moment you prioritize yourself, you are not alone, and you don't have to stay stuck in this pattern.

I'm a licensed clinical and school psychologist with over 30 years of experience, and I specialize in helping women break free from people-pleasing, codependency, and the quiet erosion of self-esteem that comes with them. My clients are often capable, caring, accomplished women who give endlessly to others yet struggle to believe they're enough. I also bring deep experience helping women manage anxiety and stress, which so often go hand in hand with these patterns.

I believe the therapeutic relationship itself is where much of the healing happens. I offer a warm, supportive, and genuinely collaborative space where you can practice being heard, taking up room, and honoring your own needs, perhaps for the first time. My approach is nurturing yet goal-directed, blending psychodynamic and insight-oriented work with cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, and other approaches tailored to each client, along with mindfulness practices that reconnect you to your body and quiet the inner critic. When these patterns have roots in trauma or past painful experiences, we explore that history with care and at your pace. Together, we work on reclaiming your voice, learning to set boundaries without guilt, trusting your own judgment, and building a sense of worth that comes from within rather than from others' approval.

Our first session is simply a conversation, a chance for me to get to know you, what brings you to therapy, and what you hope will be different in your life. There's no pressure to share more than you're ready to. I'll ask questions about your history, your relationships, and the patterns you'd like to change, and together we'll begin shaping goals that feel meaningful to you. Many clients tell me they leave that first session feeling relieved and hopeful, finally heard, and with a sense that change is possible. It would be a privilege to help you recognize your own worth, release the patterns that keep you stuck, and create space for a life where you honor your voice and needs.