Maria Leija Briones

 

MA, Professional Counselor Associate

Each person holds unique experiences and stories that deserve to be heard and validated. I believe, with the right environment, counseling can provide that healing space where people feel seen, heard, validated, and are allowed to be themselves embracing their uniqueness and differences without feeling judged.

My commitment is to provide a healing space based on empathy and collaboration where I can also provide guidance and support in your healing journey.

My interest in pursuing a career in counseling started since a young age. My personal and cultural value of helping others as well as personal experiences led me to enter the helping profession. Growing up in Mexico, I started noticing the stigma around mental health within my immediate circle and within my culture and how there was not a space to talk about mental health in general. Substance use and addiction was also a topic that was not openly discussed, at least not from an empathetic and understanding perspective. Judgment and blaming were leading the discussions.

Within these experiences, I always had the feeling that there was something that could be done differently. I wanted to break that cycle and help provide a space for people to openly talk about their mental health and their experiences and start their healing process. A few years ago, during my final year of graduate studies in counseling, I also experienced the loss of my mother due to COVID-19 complications. This experienced prompted me to seek grief counseling and grief support services. However, I encountered a significant lack of grief support services, especially in my native language, Spanish. This inspired me to pursue a certification in grief that has led me to also provide specialized bilingual/ bicultural grief counseling services. My personal experiences have led me and motivated me to be in this field and I feel honored to guide you, support you, and walk beside you in your healing journey!

Outside of the counseling room I love going for walks, which has become an important part of my self-care routine. I also enjoy writing poetry, listening to music, listening to audio books, and watching a good movie at the end of a long day. Additionally, I love sharing about my Mexican culture with others, as it is an important part of my identity.

I assist clients, including children 8 and older, adolescents, and adults who are experiencing a range of presenting concerns. This including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, burnout, different types of grief and loss, caregiver stress, cultural/acculturative stress, intergenerational trauma/racial trauma, trauma and PTSD, lack of self-compassion, lack of self-esteem, lack of self-worth, lack of belonging, and substance use and addictions.

I identify as Mexicana/Latina and and as a woman of color. I am bilingual and bicultural and I provide services in English and Spanish, welcoming people from all cultural backgrounds.

AREAS OF FOCUS

Who I Work With: Adults, Teens, and Children 8+

While I work with a wide range of people and presenting problems, some of my most common topics of focus include:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Grief and Loss

  • Caregiver Stress

  • Cultural Stress/Acculturative Stress

  • Lack of Self-Esteem, Self-Worth, and Lack of Belonging

  • Lack of Self-Compassion

  • Trauma

  • PTSD

  • Intergenerational Trauma/Racial Trauma

  • Addictions

Counseling Technique

My theoretical orientation or philosophy in counseling is based on person-centered, existentialism, and relational cultural theory. I also believe in the power of a good therapeutic relationship based on empathy and collaboration where you feel accepted, seen, heard, understood and welcomed to explore deeper layers of your experiences and stories. In our work, I will also be using an integrative approach where I may be using counseling techniques drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy/Creative Interventions, and Motivational Interviewing techniques. Additionally, I also use a multicultural, systemic, and social justice orientation as well as a grief and trauma informed approach.

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Professional Background

I hold a Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling with a Specialization in Addictions from Lewis & Clark College and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Spanish from Portland State University. I am also a certified grief educator and an NBCC MFP Fellow. My professional background for the past 10+ years consists of working with children, adolescents, adults, and families, especially with diverse and underserved populations. I have worked in various nonprofit and government organizations, including working in treatment settings, juvenile justice settings, secure residential programs, and I have also worked as an adjunct faculty at a master's program. I also have experience developing and facilitating workshops in English and Spanish, including workshops about grief and I have provided specialized grief counseling services during the past few years.

Education Credentials

  • MA in Professional Mental Health Counseling, Specialization in Addictions, Lewis & Clark College

  • Certified Grief Educator

  • BA in Psychology with a minor in Spanish, Portland State University

I am currently a Registered Professional Counselor Associate with the State of Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists. I am under the supervision of Lindsay Gray, LPC & Silvana Espinoza Lau, LMFT.

 
TherapyDani ChambersTelehealth, Portland, Depression, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, Trauma, PTSD, Race & Identity, Grief & Loss, Addiction, Caregiver Stress, Cultural Stress, Self-Compassion