About Maritza

I’m a licensed therapist who helps people navigate their emotions and improve their personal and professional lives. I work with clients who struggle with self-criticism, intense emotions, self-sabotage, and relationships that feel stuck in a cycle.

I don’t just offer coping tools; I help you break free from the cycles that keep you stuck. My approach is rooted in evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you understand your emotions, communicate better, and create lasting change in your life.

I tailor my approach to your specific struggles, whether it’s emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, or life transitions. I specialize in helping individuals regain emotional balance, rebuild their self-confidence, and improve their relationships. My goal is to help clients gain clarity on how their thoughts, emotions, and actions are interconnected, and the clarity to change unhelpful patterns. This is what inspired me to name my practice Cognitive Clarity.

I graduated from the University of San Diego in 2014 with my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, following my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC San Diego in 2011. My practicum was at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital with the Senior Adult Intensive Outpatient Program, where I was trained in CBT. I’ve worked at several organizations, including the DBT Center of San Diego, the UCSD Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research (CHEAR), and Sanvello, where I provided therapeutic support to clients with a wide range of needs. I’ve also been part of the clinical product development teams at mental health tech companies like AbleTo.

When I’m not in therapy sessions, you’ll find me playing guitar, dancing to Latin music, reading a good book, or spending time with family and friends.