Maria Rios

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Maria Rios, LMFT

License No. 103865

  • Addiction
  • Adjustment Disorders
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief
  • Loss
  • Self Esteem
  • Stress
  • Time Management
  • In Person
  • Telehealth

Address: 9029 Park Plaza dr suite 101 La Mesa, CA 91942

  • 0-5
  • 6-12
  • 13-17
  • 18-59
  • 60+
  • Families
  • California
  • Aetna
  • Anthem Cross Blue Cross
  • BCBS
  • Beacon Health Options
  • Blue Shield California
  • Carelon
  • CIGNA Behavioral Health
  • CIGNA EAP
  • GEHA – AZ
  • Magellan Behavioral Health
  • Medicare – California (South)
  • Meritain Health
  • MHN Managed Health Network
  • Optum
  • Sharp Health Plan
  • TriCare For Life
  • TRICARE WEST HNFS
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
  • UMR
  • United Healthcare
  • VA Choice TriWest

About Maria Rios, LMFT

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California, I provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families since 2012. With experience in various settings, including individual, groups (residential and outpatient), and online platforms, I offer compassionate care to diverse clients.

I possess a unique blend of academic and professional experiences, including a background in Foreign Languages and Diplomatic Studies, Certification in Montessori education from The American Montessori Society and experience working at Cambridge Montessori and San Diego Montessori Schools, and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. This diverse foundation enables me to approach challenges from multiple perspectives.

My Approach:

The heart and passion of my work is to provide you with an uninterrupted time and space for you to process and explore your thoughts and feelings and empower you to achieve your goals and realize your full potential. My therapeutic approach is rooted in C. Roger’s person-centered principles, fostering a safe and non-judgmental environment for reflection and self-discovery. I aim to bring clarity, peace, and harmony, prioritizing self-awareness. As a hope-based therapist, I offer an authentic and honest approach, empowering clients to reframe thoughts, establish healthy boundaries, cultivate healthy core beliefs, and tap into their innate resilience. I believe in each individual’s inner strength and assist them in uncovering their power to drive positive change. Whether addressing personal growth or relationship issues, I provide personalized guidance that resonates with each person’s unique needs.

Trainings and Certifications:

I integrate some of the leading, evidence-based psychological modalities and have the following trainings:

  • Addiction and Dual Diagnoses for teens and adults (McAlister Institute, residential and outpatient recovery centers (2012-2017), applying Motivational Interviewing (MI), the 12-step program, SMART recovery, and psycho-education on dependency and generational trauma;
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) comprehensive training from the A. Beck Institute;
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) Competency Certification through the work of R. Schwartz;
  • The Science of Well-Being course at Yale University;
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy training (DBT);
  • Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention (CBIT): Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome Treatment;
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) & Exposure and Ritual Prevention for OCD;
  • Training in Narcissistic Emotional Abuse for Survivors of Emotional Abuse; – Intensive Training on Narcissistic and Psychopathic Abuse Certification;
  • Intensive Trauma Treatment Certification: EMDR and Somatic-Based Interventions;
  • Law and Ethics trainings on continuous basis.

Areas of Specialization:

  • Self-esteem Issues
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • ADHD
  • OCD
  • Trauma
  • Neurodiverse Concerns (Tics)
  • Substance use and Dependency
  • Stress Reduction – Life Adjustments
  • Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse
  • Parenting Support
  • Crisis Management

I look forward to working with you!