Maura M. Amaral, LMFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT117165

My clients are kids and adults who come from all kinds of life paths and struggle with a variety of issues (depression, anxiety, trauma, eating and sleeping disorder, adjustment, life transitions, grief, and immigration issues to name a few). The majority of my clientele have suffered all kinds of traumatic experiences (sexual assault, domestic violence, neglect, emotional abuse, discrimination, displacement, abusive relationships among other things). I like providing psychoeducation as we go along and I do not rush the process. I will however, partner with my clients to help them overcome their struggles and achieve their treatment goals.

Schedule an Appointment
Services

Individual Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy

Specialties
  • Trauma
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Grief
  • Stress
  • Life Transitions
  • Adjustment
  • Immigration Issues
  • Body image
  • Self-esteem
  • Eating and Sleeping issues
  • Crisis
Education

Psychologist Degree from PUC-Minas, Brazil

Masters in Sports Psychology from Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain

Diploma of Advanced Studies in Psychology from Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain

Professional and Life Coaching Program from World Coach Institute, Florida

Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from USF, San Francisco

Appointments

50 minute sessions over the phone or video

FiDi office, San Francisco

Sessions in English, Spanish, Portuguese

Location

Teletherapy
SF-FiDi
San Francisco

My approach

My approach is calm, empathetic, compassionate, client led, trauma informed and strengths based. If my client is open to trying different interventions, I am well versed in CBT, DBT, EMDR, Mindfulness, Meditation, Motivational Interviewing, I like prescribing movement such as yoga, movie therapy, and bibliotherapy as adjunct to therapy. I enjoy empowering my clients, teaching them coping skills, identifying distorted thinking, triggers, equipping them with tools and techniques that can be useful when they need to rescue themselves, helping them connect with their inner strength and see the diamond that they are.

Why I love this work

I am honored to listen to my clients as they are showing me what they probably don’t show the rest of the world. It is a pleasure for me to be a witness of their growth and help them process their feelings, re-write their stories, spread their wings and fly.

What I want for you

I want you to feel safe, comfortable and supported to do this deep work. I will be with you throughout the process as we navigate whatever struggle you are dealing with. Healing is possible, the only way past the past is through, and it takes an enormous amount of energy and trust for this process to happen. I want you to know that I value your time and I want to help you achieve your goals in therapy.

My specialties, background, and personal interests

My specialties include trauma, depression, anxiety, immigration issues, sleep and eating problems, life transitions, adjustment, stress, grief, self-esteem, body image. I enjoy teaching, I have taught Psychology at graduate and undergraduate programs in Brazil and Spain, have worked with sports teams, presented at international conferences, have developed and implemented programs and trainings to foster creativity, motivation, team work, address bullying and emotional education, and I am constantly learning. Life, creativity, resilience, motivation, movement, and trauma are areas that I dedicate a lot of my time and thinking to. In my free time I enjoy exploring the world, saying hello to the creatures underwater (Nudibranchs have a special place in my heart), practicing yoga, meditating, and socializing.

Affiliations

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)

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