Maria

Maria is a licensed professional counselor associate under the supervision of Kimberly

Montgomery. Maria’s love of caring for others holistically has led to her unique

background. Maria first received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of

Texas at Austin and has worked as a labor and delivery nurse the past 6 years. However,

after experiencing mental health hardships in her own family and in caring for patients

experiencing miscarriages and the loss of a child, Maria grew more aware of her strong

passion for mental health. Wanting to provide an integrative approach to mental health,

she acquired a Masters in Counseling Degree from the Dallas Theological Seminary.

Maria hopes to use both her love of nursing and counseling to provide mental health

services to individuals incorporating biological, psychological, social, and spiritual

factors.

Maria completed her counseling practicum at the Children’s Advocacy Center where she

provided counseling to children, adolescents, and families after experiencing

physical/sexual abuse. Here, she received training in trauma focused cognitive behavioral

therapy and play therapy, while gaining experience working with those experiencing

PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Maria also gained valuable experience

in psychiatric facilities during her nursing school practicums at the Austin State Hospital

and Meridell Achievement Center. In addition, during nursing school Maria gained

experience working with students as a college student mentor at the School of Natural

Sciences at UT Austin and as a 7 th grade summer teacher for the Breakthrough program

assisting future first generation college graduates.

Maria considers her counseling approach to be warm, empathetic, integrative and

eclectic, while strongly based in attachment theory. Maria has a strong interest working

with children, adolescents, families, as well as, serving women and couples during their

pregnancy journey or those experiencing infertility or miscarriages. However, Maria

believes everyone can benefit from counseling and is open to working with people of all

ages and backgrounds. Maria is bilingual also offering counseling services in Spanish.