CLINICAL INTERN
Pronouns: She/Her
Maria’s journey into the field of mental health was shaped by her own experiences as a first-generation immigrant.The intense period that she experienced after emigrating from Russia to the United States, sparked a deeply personal interest in understanding human experiences and advocating for mental health.
Maria was working as a policy analyst in the public sector and parenting her young children when she realized that her true calling was to support individuals on a more personal level. Driven by this purpose, she enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Palo Alto University and pursued in-depth training in Existential Analysis at the Center for Existential Analysis and Logotherapy, which is affiliated with the GLE-International Society for Logotherapy and Existential Analysis in Vienna.
Maria has developed a strong foundation in Existential Analysis, which is her primary therapeutic modality. She also incorporates insights from humanistic and person-centered theory into her work, emphasizing the uniqueness of each client’s lived experience. Additionally, Maria employs a trauma-informed approach to therapy. Her therapeutic philosophy is rooted in the belief that people are complex physical, social, psychological, and spiritual beings. She recognizes that no experiences or suffering are the same.
Maria is committed to creating an environment of compassionate, non-judgmental acceptance and anti-oppressive support. In her sessions, she focuses on the unique experiences of clients to help them gain deeper self-awareness and achieve meaningful personal growth. Maria explores clients’ experiences in-depth, aims to reveal the underlying factors contributing to their challenges, and supports them in overcoming obstacles.
Maria works with clients facing a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, and feelings of meaninglessness. Maria is also passionate about working with immigrant individuals and families, particularly those struggling with acculturation, culture shock, and the challenges of adapting to a new life in a different culture. Maria works closely with her clients to understand their unique perspectives and the significance they attach to their experiences. She aims to see things from their point of view and deeply appreciate how they interpret their own lives.
Maria is a bachelor's-level mental health counseling intern. She is supervised by Cherie McKale, LMHC (NPI 1528620010, License LH61317695).
