HELLO, I'M
maria
Originally from Greece, I am an author, speaker, artist, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California. My expertise extends across Authentic Movement, Nutritional Therapy, and Healing Arts, with a holistic approach that nurtures the heart~body~mind~soul.
I lead the Feminine Wholeness Retreat, a heartwarming experience designed to empower women in their journey of holistic self-discovery and soul freedom.
My bilingual kit 'MarlaGran' is also designed to spark creativity and foster social-emotional growth across ages.
I do not fit in any box...
... because I am multifaceted,
and there is no one word for what I do.
So, I define myself as a Play~Art~Terra~Pist@...
Play
To play is our instinctual nature; to play is to be curious, and this inherent capacity has no age limit. We discover ourselves and the world by playing, exploring and creating relationships, and learning and growing.
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
Terra
Terra is the Latin name for Earth. Its use here reflects our relationship to nature and our bodies, the matter that has limits and forms, and the world that we see, hear, touch, smell, taste, and perceive.
I celebrate our being in flesh and this tangible way to share with others. It's a blessing and a passage to the mystery, the numinous that has no limits nor forms.
Art
For me, making art or 'making special' refers to any action that involves an embodied presence in the here & now, a playful attitude, and a letting go of my rational thinking to enter the world of mystery
.
By 'making special,' we express ourselves, experience and transform the world, and are transformed.
Pist@
Pista in Spanish means sign, track, or path. Life provides us with 'pist@s' to recognize and achieve the longings of our souls. These 'pist@s' may appear meaningless to our egos and societal structures but are totally meaningful for our souls' journey.
I am here to help you listen to the 'pist@s' that guide your soul to a plentiful life.
"To be what we are,
and to become what we are capable of becoming,
is the only end of life."
Robert Louis Stevenson
My journey started with inner battles that forced me to travel
across the globe
My whole life has been a ceaseless journey, not only because I have lived in 3 continents, 5 countries, 7 cities, and 20 houses, but also because I am a constant soul seeker. I love journeying within and diving into the depths of my soul to bring light into my shadow and discover uncomfortable quirks and hidden gems that make for a plentiful life. However, my journey hasn't always been easy...
I was lonely and confused, struggling with bulimia,
self-hatred and unworthiness
While becoming a licensed psychologist in Greece (2004), I struggled with bulimia, depression, body hatred, insecurities, and extremely low self-esteem. Feeling confused, disconnected, alienated, and lonely, I felt compelled to “run away” from my homeland for soul freedom.
There was no satisfying space to take care of my wounds, and I was unwilling to fit into any box suggested by familial and societal norms. Bombarded with messages about what we should do, how we should be, and how we are expected to look, I needed to find my own voice and truth.
I sought to understand and accept who I am, including my flaws and strengths. I wanted to discover and validate my worth as an identified woman, have a respectful relationship with myself and others, and find peace and a loving home within myself, within my heart~body~mind~soul.
The path to my healing led me to
Authentic Movement and to integrate Spirituality
In search of healing, I traveled to Buenos Aires (2005) and discovered
Authentic Movement (2008) at The Center for Practice and Training in Authentic Movement. Initially fearful and rigid, I gradually softened and trusted the unknown of this practice where no one tells me what to do, and I can just be. For four years, I committed to this practice as a mover, weekly and in intensives, for my healing journey and soul liberation, leading to profound transformations. I slowly reconnected with my body, listened to my needs, respected my wounds, trusted my intuition, and regained confidence. My creativity awakened, first privately and then socially, as I facilitated workshops on self-development through storytelling and art-making for children and adults.
This rebirth led me to Peru (2012), where, working as a psychotherapist at Takiwasi, I continued my inner journey and spiritual growth with the support of medicinal plants, understanding the importance of integrating spirituality into psychotherapy for healing and complete soul freedom.
I finally found my identity in San Francisco, where I live, work, and express my creativity
In San Francisco (2014), I completed my MA in Expressive Arts Therapy at CIIS (2017), integrating multiple facets into one identity – a play-art-terra-pist@. I'm an interdisciplinary visionary artist, international speaker, author of 'MarlaGran,' a bilingual interactive creative kit for children, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice. I founded Authentic Movement Soul Freedom, facilitating individual sessions, groups, workshops, and retreats.
Among these offerings, I'm particularly passionate about the Feminine Wholeness Retreat, a culmination of my journey and expertise. It's a space where women can explore and embrace their feminine essence, guided by the principles of Authentic Movement, Healing Arts, and the wisdom of the Greek Goddess Archetypes.
Now, my mission is to inspire
self-love and hold space for the creative expression of your soul
Through my life, work, and art, I inspire self-love, create spaces for creative expression, and coach adults to nurture their inner child, co-creating a more loving world. I am committed to building a community of movers to explore the symbols of our psyche and the endless journey of our souls.
Our souls' wisdom, rooted in our bodies, is waiting to emerge,
now more than ever, as the world needs the power of our true gifts.
Deep within, we always know what we truly desire
to live a meaningful, soul-liberated life.
Join me in rediscovering who you are. Let your intuition be your guide as you express the unique essence of your soul, a precious gift to the world.
Together, let’s embark on a journey to uncover and celebrate your authentic self – in heart~body~mind~spirit!
EXPERIENCE
2017 ~ Current
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Authentic Movement leader
AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT SOUL FREEDOM
~ In private practice, helping adults & kids to thrive in their lives
~ Promote the practice of Authentic Movement and the principles of Authentic Movement Soul Freedom
2015 ~ 2021
Associate MFT
CHILD THERAPY INSTITUTE
~ Mental health consultant in preschools, Berkeley, facilitate play groups & individual attention.
~ Individual Child Therapy
2015 ~ 2017
Expressive Teaching Artist
SPOTLIGHT; GO GIRLS (Summer camps)
~ Run opening and closing circle each day, teaching and reinforcing social/emotional skill building.
~ Lead art classes, honoring art as a reflective, sensory part of each camp day.
2012 ~ 2014
Psychotherapist & Clinical Coordinator
TAKIWASI, rehabilitation center
~ Provide individual psychotherapy and expressive arts therapy group workshops.
~ Communication, evaluation and administer acceptance of new clients.
~ Create, review, and classify medical records.
2010 ~ 2012
Psycho-educator & Workshops Coordinator
FUNDACION GIRASOL (Sunflower Foundation)
~ Create and coordinate educational workshops on self-awareness and skills development through storytelling and art, at public schools for children and teenagers at an economic disadvantage and at-risk neighborhoods.
2003 ~ 2016
Expressive Bodywork Workshop Coordinator
INDEPENDENT
~ Extensive experience creating and coordinating workshops of expressive body work and creativity with children, adolescents, and adults in Greece, Argentina and Peru.
EDUCATION
2022 ~ 2023
Certificate
NUTRITIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION
~ Certified as Nutritional Therapy Practitioner after completing 1,226h of Nutritional Therapy Program.
2015 ~ 2017
Certificate
CHILD THERAPY INSTITUTE (of Marin)
~ Two-year training program in child therapy, play therapy, and sandplay.
2015 ~ 2017
Auditing Master's of Arts Degree
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF INTEGRAL STUDIES & CHICHESTER UNIVERSITY, ENGLAND
~ M.F.A., Theatre Performance Making.
2014 ~ 2017
Master's Degree
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF INTEGRAL STUDIES
~ M.A. in Counseling Psychology, with a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy.
2008 ~ 2012
Specialization
CENTRO de MOVIMIENTO AUTENTICO, Argentina ~ CeMAAR. Dirección Karin Fleischer
~ 4 year training in the theory and practice of Authentic Movement, with regular weekly meetings and intensives
2008 ~ 2010
Training
CENTRO de Investigación y Estudio de Técnicas y Lenguajes Corporales. Dirección Silvia Mamana.
~ Training in Integración Somática®
2006 ~ 2011
Certificate
INSTITUTO DE LA MASCARA, Argentina
~ Associate of Arts, Expressive Skills and Body Work Coordinator.
1999 ~ 2004
Bachelor's Degree & Master's Degree
ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY of THESSALONIKI, Greece
~ Degree in Psychology
~ Licensed Psychologist in Greece since 2005.
AFFILIATIONS
