

Mental health support in San Luis Obispo is accessible through Headway's network of 8,156 licensed providers offering virtual and in-person sessions. With over 70+ insurance plans accepted nationally and copays estimated between $0-50 per session, care in neighborhoods like Downtown, Foothill, and Laguna Lake is affordable and flexible. Providers specialize in talk therapy and medication management across conditions including anxiety, depression, and more.
Hi! I am Maria, I am a Mexican-American therapist who is also bilingual in Spanish. I received my graduate education at CalPoly San Luis Obispo and I am licensed in the state of California. I work with individuals and teens experiencing anxiety, trauma, ADHD, depression, stress and life transitions.
I have extensive experience and training in the area of trauma and substance abuse. Prior to building my private practice I provided mental health to youth in the child protective services then later I provided therapeutic services in an inpatient residential treatment center for substance abuse. I am trauma informed and specialize in processing traumatic memories utilizing EMDR and integrated fragmented parts of the self by using IFS therapy.
I work with teens, young adults, and families navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, substance use, identity exploration, family conflict, relationship challenges, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm. Whether you're feeling stuck, disconnected, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what comes next, therapy can provide a space to better understand yourself and move toward meaningful change.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I believe therapy works best when clients feel genuinely understood, supported, and accepted for who they are. Together, we build on strengths, develop practical coping skills, and explore the patterns that may be getting in the way of living a more fulfilling life.
I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can be honest, reflective, and fully themselves without fear of judgment. My goal is not only to help clients navigate current challenges but also to foster greater resilience, self-awareness, confidence, and connection.
I am available to assist with many of the current issues that are affecting us all. Issues os depression, anxiety and PTSD are impacting many. Relationship and communication challenges are problematic. Challenging adolescents and children suffering from ADHD or Learning Disabilities are impacting family life. I can assist you with these common challenges, and help to provide and process solutions.


Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Finding the right therapist in San Luis Obispo starts with getting clear on what you're looking for. Consider the concerns you want to address — whether that's anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma, or a life transition — and look for a licensed provider with experience in that area. Common license types include LMFT, LCSW, LMHC, and psychologist, each with different training backgrounds. Reading a provider's bio can help you understand their approach and decide if they're a good match before you commit.
San Luis Obispo and the surrounding Central Coast have a range of mental health providers, but availability can be limited, especially for in-person sessions. Expanding your search to include virtual appointments gives you access to more providers across California, many of whom can see you from wherever you are in the state. Practical factors like scheduling flexibility, session format, and location all matter when choosing someone you'll see regularly.
Therapy in California can be expensive without coverage — but using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to lower what you pay. On Headway, you can enter your insurance details to see estimated session costs before you book. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans, and many patients pay as low as $0 per visit. Every provider listed is accepting new patients, so you can move from searching to booking without the back-and-forth.
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