About

 I have been through times of discontent, despair, depression, doubt, extreme stress and overwhelm. And know what it's like to feel stuck, lonely, confused, unsure and scared. Sharing what I have learned with others who like myself, know there is more to Life than what most of us are living, brings me great joy and fulfillment. Life's detours, blindsides and curveballs have been my greatest teachers, the times of most personal growth and transformation. I am here to help you navigate yours.

Since 1998, I have been on a personal quest to learn about and understand human behavior specifically personal growth and transformation. In 2019, I set out on another quest to learn and understand what "truly" heals dysfunctional childhood experiences and trauma.

 I have a bucket-list of 101 goals, which includes helping humanity heal. What can I say, I DREAM BIG! I eat, sleep and dream personal development. I started with Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in 1998 and currently reading Inner Vegas by Joseph Gallenberger (inspired by my first retreat at the Monroe Institute).

I received my master's degree (MSW) in 1997 from UCLA and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in 2009. I have worked successfully with clients from all ethnicities and across all socio-economic levels. I am also bilingual/fluent in Spanish. I am licensed in California (2009) and Pennsylvania (2024). 

 With my personal commitment in 2019, to learn how to really help people improve their lives, change, heal and transform, I have spent countless hours and thousands of dollars getting trained and certified in the most up to date, evidence-based techniques including:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)

IFS (Internal Family Systems)

Psychedelic Somatic Therapy 

Consciousness Expansion, Meditation,

Breathwork & Sound Healing Techniques

I offer limited brief-solution focused therapy (1-6 months) and now also offer IFS-EMDR-Somatic-based Intensives & Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy with Ketamine or Cannabis 

Hybrid (online and in-person sessions) in Ventura, CA and East Falls in Philadelphia, PA

 My one-on-one intensives (8-24 hours) range from $800-$4200 with sliding scale & payment plan options available (not covered by insurance).

*Medical provider intake & prescription separate fee.

*Travel to you anywhere in California or Pennsylvania may require additional traveling fee 

I use a restorative pricing model, including sliding scale and payment plan options. Please consider making a donation (home page) to support my efforts in helping others heal, thank you!

If you are looking for a place to be validated, to be understood, to cry, to laugh, to have fun, a place to educate yourself, empower yourself, a place to find strength, courage, hope, meaning and ultimately identify and move towards understanding, growth, strength, resiliency, healing and transformation then I am honored to work with you and look forward to helping you on your Journey, 

  Many people are new and unsure about non-traditional therapeutic approaches such as "Intensives" or "Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy" as I was too, but rest assured my utmost commitment is your growth and healing, I will support, guide, provide psychoeducation and assist you in making the best-informed decision that feels right for you. After years of practicing weekly "talk therapy" approach, I have found that intensives and psychedelic-assisted therapy can provide the most efficacy in terms of growth and healing in the shortest amount of time, making it the most cost-effective approach.

To learn more about my clinical work please visit my profile at Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/117450   

OR

https://www.zocdoc.com/professional/maria-hernandez-lcsw-368655 

If you'd like to schedule a 15–20-minute consultation call, please email: marihernandezlcsw@gmail.com

 Dreams without faith are fantasies. Dreams with faith become possibilities.  

Maria "Mari" Hernandez, LCSW