https://www.hikingtheheart.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-08-15 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/blog/reflections-of-reunion monthly 0.5 2025-08-15 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/blog/disenfranchised-grief monthly 0.5 2020-12-01 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/blog/holding-the-stuff-that-has-no-words monthly 0.5 2022-09-22 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/blog/talking-loss-and-feeling-loss monthly 0.5 2020-11-24 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/blog/category/adoptee+support+group monthly 0.5 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/blog/category/Online+adoptee+group monthly 0.5 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/blog/tag/preverbal+trauma monthly 0.5 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/blog/tag/grief+work monthly 0.5 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/blog/tag/grief monthly 0.5 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/faq daily 0.75 2026-02-11 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/about-me daily 1.0 2026-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/9b9192ab-2c41-4ecb-8f52-e009bf3c91d0/IMG_0324.jpg About Maria Hi! I’m Maria (nickname ML)! I’m a licensed therapist for California, Wisconsin, Florida, and Hawaii. I specialize in complex attachment trauma, anxiety, depression, loss and grief. I truly believe change is possible, no matter where you’re starting from. I also believe therapy isn’t just for when something is “wrong.” It can be a powerful space for growth to understand yourself more deeply, heal past wounds, and build self-awareness and confidence. Sometimes we all just need a bit of extra support, and reaching out can be a brave first step. My ultimate goal is to be someone you feel safe talking to, offering no judgment, just honesty, respect, and real connection. It is an honor to offer safe spaces and places for you to process your thoughts and feelings. If you’re curious about starting therapy and how it can help you, I offer a free 15 minute phone call so you can see if it feels like a good fit. Send me an email or give me a text and we will find a time to connect. Let’s take this next step in your wellness journey together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1679085451327-PIHRO05HIWEKMHK0N01Q/unsplash-image-PWxsExxrf5g.jpg https://www.hikingtheheart.com/adopteecounseling daily 0.75 2025-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/66ace77f-ec61-47cd-8227-cee8be715155/IMG_0252.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1623103442307-EOSNR1SZZBSN2TEH3YK2/unsplash-image-jp0Qlyv389g.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1602253578665-0ZMPQRYJCN7GDQ3L9BA5/image-asset.jpeg Adoptee Counseling & Support Group therapy is a place to process how adoption has impacted your life. It is a space to express conflicting feelings, to explore self doubt, and to connect with other adoptees that feel the same. This group can help you explore who you are and how adoption has impacted your life choices, friendships, relationships, and identity. It is a place to process the struggles with your adoptive parents, first families, the complexities of reunion, and the day to day struggle of being an adoptee. Through group therapy, adoptees will achieve the confidence to walk through life secure with who they are and their purpose. **Group sessions are a low cost alternative for adoptees but do not skip on the therapeutic process. Not only will you grow and work on your goals you will be connected to others who are working on similar goals.** If you are interested in learning more about group therapy and pricing, please visit the FAQ page. https://www.hikingtheheart.com/post-adoption-counseling daily 0.75 2024-06-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1602705250250-6WUT4NC0HBB4ND4OJ7CN/image-asset.jpeg Post Adoption Counseling - Adoption Competent Services Families formed by adoption, sometimes need extra support during the teenage years. The families I work with often talk about working with therapists who knew little about adoption and often felt like they were teaching their therapist. Families formed by adoption need a therapist who understands the unique emotional, developmental and behavioral issues involved for everyone in the adoptee and foster care community. The adolescent years can be tough for every family and if you’re a parent of an adoptee and found yourself wondering the following, counseling can help. My teen is withdrawing, is this “normal” or related to their adoption? My child was adopted from birth, does this affect their current behavior? My two adopted children are very different, how can I tell what behavior is related to their adoption and what behaviors aren’t? My son/daughter want to search for their biological family, how do I best support them? My teenager is having trouble with their racial identity, what can I do to help them? Foster families and adoptive families need an adoption competent therapist. The need for help is normal and you do not have to venture this road alone. We will work together through challenges, outline goals and create a treatment plan. Contact me for a free 15 minute phone consultation. ** I believe counseling can be beneficial for the whole family. I do my best to maintain balance with gaining trust with both teenager and the family. Families are the foundation for mental wellness and stability. Together we will work towards health and wellness. ** https://www.hikingtheheart.com/adolescentcounseling daily 0.75 2024-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1602702868460-ED880XLHBICYZO33NDAW/image-asset.jpeg Teen Counseling - Adolescent Counseling Teens are reluctant to share everything with their family and often will share more details with friends than parents or caregivers. Finding a therapist that your teen can trust is crucial. As a trauma informed therapist, I have worked with teens who struggle with substance abuse, trauma, anxiety, depression, anger, ADHD, teens in the lgbtq+ community, emotional self regulation, youth in foster care and adoptees. Counseling is a safe space to let your teen explore who they are and who they want to be. The adolescent years can be tough on every family and therapy can be a resource than can help families and teens through this roller coaster of an experience. My work’s passion is to provide mental health services to youth as they become more aware of who they are, their values and their goals. ** I believe counseling can be beneficial for the whole family. I do my best to maintain balance with gaining trust with both teenager and the family. Families are the foundation for mental wellness and stability. Together we will work towards health and wellness. ** Contact me for a free 15 minute phone consultation. For pricing information, please visit FAQ page. https://www.hikingtheheart.com/behind-the-name daily 0.75 2025-08-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1601922187872-MA7RCZ5A3W2BSQNISF8J/G0070965.JPG Behind the Name Woman in an orange tank top smiling on a mountain trail with lush green mountains and sky in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1601922125092-FKHX1JN7QZTW02KRMKXE/G0110982+%281%29.JPG Behind the Name View of green lush mountains during sunset with clear sky and distant horizon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1601923009704-2CJ2M469LJAJ6KSCF2TY/IMG_1553.jpg Behind the Name Mountain landscape during sunset, with green hills and a cloudy sky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1601923063767-B5DLMY2JYJZ7LHRDY7TU/G0110979.jpg Behind the Name Two women hiking on a mountain trail, with lush green hills and a partly cloudy sky in the background. One woman in the foreground is taking a selfie, smiling and pointing at her friend, who is standing further along the trail. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1601923110639-81S9F3PZAY1JTER0RX47/IMG_1651.jpg Behind the Name Hiking trail on lush green mountain ridge overlooking city, ocean, and coastline with cloudy sky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1601922765139-H206EFE881DYM6O6V9G7/IMG_6277.jpg Behind the Name Two women in teal rain jackets smiling in a forest with a waterfall in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1601923172653-4XTUKXKPVNZK9Q9GA26B/IMG_1623.jpg Behind the Name Person standing on a narrow mountain ridge covered in green vegetation, with a backdrop of mountain ranges and a cloudy sky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1601922793447-RH1B9TT0NV9DPF1RFAEC/IMG_1626.JPG Behind the Name Person wearing a yellow helmet and black outdoor gear hiking on a steep, grassy mountainside with a view of a lush green valley and mountains in the distance under cloudy skies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1601922817066-RM81OGC46JF6BIHUKUM8/IMG_1627.JPG Behind the Name A woman hiking on a lush green mountain trail with a backpack, smiling, with a scenic view of mountains, valleys, and the ocean in the background. https://www.hikingtheheart.com/contact daily 0.75 2025-08-01 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/adultcounselingservices daily 0.75 2025-08-01 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/consultation-adoption-informed daily 0.75 2025-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1607102893042-F25O142LFYL4A8QEY05C/iStock-1159638684.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1605733798830-7DWK5V3POF60FUBQYTZ1/image-asset.jpeg https://www.hikingtheheart.com/emdr daily 0.75 2025-07-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1713893338852-1754T9IKIR6394VC91Q3/image-asset.jpeg https://www.hikingtheheart.com/reunion-support daily 0.75 2025-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1755214520331-XUP41DDM66ZIGG32SLLX/unsplash-image-l2uO9oZ9P5g.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1755214863388-LRJXQVCN65OHQ1IW9Q4S/unsplash-image-DHrt7QwKVNw.jpg https://www.hikingtheheart.com/store daily 0.75 2025-07-30 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/reunionjournaling daily 0.75 2025-08-01 https://www.hikingtheheart.com/reunionjournaling/p/journaling-through-adoptee-reunion monthly 0.5 2025-08-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1679085632539-M3G2RHZWPTT3GD52A8PA/Adoptee+Search+and+Reunion+Workbook_First+Page+PNG.png Journaling Prompts for Reunion - Journaling Through Adoptee Reunion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1679085720650-S3ZKS56O40WZWB1LEXDX/Adoptee+Search+and+Reunion+Workbook.png Journaling Prompts for Reunion - Journaling Through Adoptee Reunion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f5bd3f2b2c8fd7068fb9f5d/1679085727219-PNZFGZPYSL7I4QJALLLO/Adoptee+Search+and+Reunion+Workbook+%281%29.png Journaling Prompts for Reunion - Journaling Through Adoptee Reunion