Maria Ciavarella, MSW
Maria Ciavarella is bi-lingual in English and Spanish. She earned her undergrad degree in Psychology from Aurora University. She completed an internship with Communities in Schools and Gateway Foundation while earning her Master’s degree in Social Work in 2019 from Aurora University. She started working at Taking Control in October of 2020 and has experience working dual cultural issues, school issues, bullying, self-esteem issues, depression, anxiety, Religious/Christian based (Catholic) issues, immigration issues, and sexual abuse. Maria uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and art as therapy.
“Always remember that for each patient you see you may be the only person in their life capable of both hearing and holding their pain. If that’s not sacred, I don’t know what is.” Author unknown.
Growing up, mental health was not seen as a priority in my culture. You would be judged for seeking therapy and would keep it a secret if you did. This stopped so many people from seeking any form of treatment. Today, things have improved, but the stigma is not completely gone. There aren't many Spanish speaking therapist in Aurora that are bicultural and I want to help with that. I think that therapy has the ability to help anyone. I want to be the safe place for people to work through their trauma and life circumstances. I’ve seen the positive benefits of my own family who has done therapy and I want to contribute to that change.
Growing up, mental health was not seen as a priority in my culture. You would be judged for seeking therapy and would keep it a secret if you did. This stopped so many people from seeking any form of treatment. Today, things have improved, but the stigma is not completely gone. There aren't many Spanish speaking therapist in Aurora that are bicultural and I want to help with that. I think that therapy has the ability to help anyone. I want to be the safe place for people to work through their trauma and life circumstances. I’ve seen the positive benefits of my own family who has done therapy and I want to contribute to that change.