Boston University, School of Social Work, Master of Social Work

New York School Social Worker Permanent Certificate

Currently licensed in Maryland and New York

Early childhood and adolescent mental health (behavior challenges, emotional dysregulation, oppositional behaviors) Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurodivergence (executive functioning, adaptive behaviors, social skills development, sensory regulation) Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Self-Esteem, Peer Relationships, Life Transitions (divorce, separation, grief/loss), Trauma (processing current world events and/or private family experiences), Parent Training and Coaching.

I am thrilled to join the Family Therapy Center of Bethesda team after several years as a social worker with New York City Public Schools. In my school social worker role, I collaborated with parents/caregivers of students from elementary through high school to build strong home-school partnerships and provide targeted support for each student’s unique needs. I regularly engaged with students’ transdisciplinary teams (speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, audiologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists) to develop IEPs and monitor progress. I facilitated individual and group counseling sessions, including crisis intervention, employing a child-led trauma-informed approach. I also lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum in partnership with school administration to ensure that students’ emotional needs were met and valued while promoting a positive and supportive school environment.

While pursuing my master’s in social work, I worked as a therapeutic nanny, providing compassionate care to children experiencing mental health challenges in New York City. I began my clinical fieldwork at a private school in Manhattan for students ages 4–21 with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder. I completed my fieldwork at a 4410 preschool in Brooklyn, where I supported a diverse group of children, including those with physical, developmental, and emotional disabilities. In these roles, I facilitated individual and group therapy, led parent workshops and trainings, and collaborated closely with school staff to support students’ academic, behavioral, and emotional development.

After earning my degree, I worked as an early intervention therapist. In this role I supported children aged 18 months to 3.5 years with developmental disabilities by developing and facilitating therapy sessions on the five domains of early childhood development: social/emotional, cognitive, physical, communication, and adaptive behaviors. Through this work I had the amazing opportunity to travel to the Kasari Lab, Center for Autism Research and Treatment at UCLA for an intensive week-long training on JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, engagement, and Regulation). As an early intervention therapist I also collaborated with multidisciplinary teams (BCBAs, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists) to monitor client progress and update individualized goals. I continued this role using a virtual format during the COVID-19 pandemic providing early intervention teletherapy and parent training.

I am deeply committed to providing compassionate, individualized care that honors each client’s unique strengths and challenges. Further, I utilize a client-centered framework, tailoring interventions to each individual’s readiness and capacity for engagement. My approach incorporates various modalities including child-led therapy, play therapy techniques (child-centered play therapy, sand tray therapy, expressive art therapy), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and trauma informed therapy. My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe and supportive environment where clients can express themselves, build resilience, and work toward their potential.

I love spending time with family and friends whether that be in person or catching up via facetime. I also enjoy listening to music (especially Beyoncé), podcasts, cooking, playing with my dog, creating art, being outdoors, and trying new restaurants.

Email: maya@familytherapyllc.com
Phone: (240) 244-6243