Maria Poston, MA, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (NJ # 37PC00590700) with over 12 years of clinical experience. She received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Maria has clinical training in cognitive-behavioral interventions, psychodynamic therapy, and trauma-informed approaches. She has worked with individuals across the life span and has provided therapy in various settings, including university counseling centers, child development centers, outpatient settings, and inpatient settings. Maria is also a PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University in Brooklyn. She is passionate about continuing to expand her knowledge and therapeutic skills base.

“I believe that as human beings, we are all striving towards self-organization, purpose, and self-expression within a social and cultural context. Central to this view is the recognition of the importance of relationships and their profound impact on the development of a cohesive sense of self. I believe that psychotherapy can facilitate that journey, leading to deep and meaningful personal growth.”

“In therapy, my goal is to provide clients with a safe, trusting, and supportive environment that promotes vitality, creativity, meaning, and self-understanding. At the same time, my goal is to also support clients in developing effective life skills so they can negotiate and confidently resolve life’s challenges. As such, when working with clients, I integrate various therapeutic approaches that have empirically been shown to be effective in alleviating distress, managing emotions, improving interpersonal relationships, and increasing reflective functioning. Because everyone is different and presents with unique circumstances, the client and I work together to identify his/her goals and how to best arrive there. I take a genuine interest in my clients and work earnestly to create the optimal conditions for working towards their goals – that is, with a curious, nonjudgmental, and caring stance.”

Typical symptoms and issues that I treat include:
• Stress management
• Self-esteem
• Depression
• Trauma
• Relationship issues
• Motivation issues
• Anger management
• Life transitions and adjustments
• Parenting
• Interpersonal skills: communication, assertiveness, limit setting