MARITZA GARZA, LMFT
Maritza's personal odyssey of overcoming her own childhood grief and trauma is not only a wellspring of inspiration, but has been instrumental in inspiring hope and determination to help her clients heal from the inside out.
In both non-profit and private practice settings, Maritza identified a common lack of awareness among her clients regarding post-traumatic stress symptoms resulting from psychological trauma. Motivated to address this gap, she pursued certifications in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Rapid Resolution Therapy. These specialized certifications now empower Maritza to effectively transform and heal trauma for her clients.
Maritza is now an Advanced Practitioner and Associate Trainer with over 500 hours of training in Rapid Resolution Therapy. She has been called a "Jedi" in treating trauma and has helped hundreds of clients resolve past trauma. Maritza earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara in Ethnic Studies and a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch Graduate University in Santa Barbara.
Maritza lives by and promotes self-compassion and mindfulness meditation, with daily gratitude for happier living. She enjoys spending time with family, hiking, watercolor painting, gym classes, yoga, and singing karaoke at breakfast.
Embracing the Healing Path After Childhood Trauma
As a survivor of childhood abuse and trauma, I endured a haunting array of challenges, including fear, debilitating anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, trust issues, intimacy struggles, self-hatred, and complicated grief. Despite grappling with these issues, I remained unaware of the fact that I was experiencing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Masking my fear and sorrow with a bright smile and kindness, I sought solace in academic pursuits and found joy in learning. Unfortunately, no one ever provided me with the knowledge or guidance about mental health during this crucial time.
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At the age of 35, I attended my first Rapid Resolution Therapy session. My mind was forever grateful for what took place. For the first time in my life, I experienced a sense of hope that someone really could help me address all of my issues. I went to several therapists over the years and they actually helped resolve the deep traumatic stress I had been afflicted by for decades. Rapid Resolution Therapy and Neurolinguistic Programming were instrumental in effectively treating my symptoms and harsh inner self-talk. I was able to heal from my various traumas including the murder of my mother by my father, witnessing family violence, and the deep shame and guilt from sexual abuse. What began to emerge was inner wisdom and clarity. I finally began to believe I deserved a wonderful life and a chance at happiness. My sense of self-worth began to bloom. I became strongly connected to my intuition and trusted myself again.
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My personal transformation became a reality through the guidance of incredible therapists who facilitated my healing journey, imparting valuable lessons on establishing better boundaries and adopting healthy coping mechanisms.
Overcoming and mastering my anxiety became an achievable feat. However, as someone who has navigated PTSD, I am acutely aware of my thresholds, recognizing the unique ways in which my brain functions. This awareness has become a cornerstone of my work with clients.
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Understanding that stress, whether stemming from trauma or life adjustments, can swiftly lead to overwhelm, I now offer coaching on stress management and emotion literacy. The profound stress endured by my brain and body during trauma serves as a reminder of the significance in prioritizing my mental health on a daily basis.