My name is Maria Gonzalez, LCSW, and I am a licensed clinical social worker born and raised in Lane County, Oregon. My connection to this community has shaped both my personal values and my professional commitment to supporting individuals and families through life's challenges and transitions.

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Family and Human Services from the University of Oregon (2017), where I also pursued studies in Italian. During my undergraduate education, I completed internships with several community-based organizations, gaining valuable experience working alongside diverse members of the community. These experiences deepened my understanding of local resources, cultural strengths, and the importance of fostering meaningful connections that promote well-being and resilience.

As part of my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to spend a month in India, where I learned about social service systems and community-based supports in a different cultural context. This experience broadened my perspective on social work practice and reinforced my appreciation for the diverse ways individuals, families, and communities create pathways toward healing and support.

I earned my Master's degree in Social Work from Columbia University (2020), where I also completed coursework focused on law and social justice. During my graduate training and early professional career, I worked with a variety of populations, including unaccompanied minors navigating the asylum process in the United States and individuals seeking refugee and asylum status after experiencing political persecution and torture. These experiences strengthened my commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and person-centered care.

Since returning to Oregon, I have spent the past five years working within the healthcare system, primarily supporting adults and older adults living with serious illness, adjusting to significant life transitions, and navigating end-of-life care decisions. I work closely with individuals and families facing complex medical, emotional, and relational challenges, providing counseling, advocacy, and support during periods of uncertainty, grief, and change. I am particularly passionate about helping clients strengthen communication, navigate difficult conversations, and identify sources of resilience during times of crisis and transition.

My therapeutic approach is grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based practices that recognize the impact of life experiences on emotional well-being. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, strengths-based approaches, and other research-supported modalities to help clients develop insight, build coping skills, and work toward goals that are meaningful to them.

I believe healing occurs within safe, authentic, and collaborative relationships. My role is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to explore challenges, build on existing strengths, and create lasting, meaningful change in their lives.