Meet Maxine Gonzalez
Maxine Gonzalez, B.S.
Practice Manager & Coach
B.S. Sociology
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
– Maya Angelou
How Can I Serve You?
Sometimes clients feel overwhelmed by the process of starting therapy. They feel stuck in a loop of steps to complete, all of which seemingly end nowhere. It can feel challenging to feel heard, understood, and validated in each step of the therapy process.
I take pride in being one of those first steps in your journey, and am here to support that journey with integrity and respect. I utilize a trauma informed, person centered approach that creates a safe and validating space for clients to express their feelings and communicate their needs. I engage a peer support mindset where I draw on personal experiences from my own use of mental health services to develop an efficient and personable experience in getting you connected with a therapist.
I strive to simplify this process and aim to provide the highest level of client care coordination necessary to ensure a solid foundational start, where your therapeutic relationship is given the best chance possible to grow and thrive.
Fun Facts About Me
I enjoy creating clean and efficient spaces and systems, having a sense that everything has a place and a process brings me a sense of ease. I enjoy helping others find peace and organization even in the midst of chaos.
I am an avid plant person, for so long I struggled to have any hobbies outside of work, school, or being with loved ones. One day I picked up a plant…the next day I bought 50 more. I learned and continue to learn everything I can about my plants to create, grow, and maintain something new and thriving each day. Being with my plants helps me feel grounded, and re-connected to the living breath of nature which renews my soul.
Maxine’s Experience
Maxine currently holds a B.S. in Sociology. Prior to their university endeavor, they personally experienced and healed through mental health challenges many of our clients seek help for today including anxiety, depression, and trauma. Maxine’s first-hand experience as a consumer and then provider of mental health services uniquely qualifies them to provide the highest quality of client care, ensuring efficient administrative support to our therapists, and empathetic, client-centered support to all people we serve. Maxine amassed a wealth of knowledge while working in San Diego with those persons categorized as “Severely Mentally Ill” or SMI, providing a wide array of rehabilitative services aimed at improving overall functioning and stability in the community. Maixine gained valuable wisdom and skills through this career path in various areas including advocacy, case management, DBT, crisis intervention and de-escalation, person-first language, and care coordination. Maxine’s experience in this field led them face to face with some of society’s most vulnerable and marginalized populations including those living with diagnoses such as paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which fueled their passion for providing genuine, compassionate, and efficient client-centered care. Maxine’s experiences combined with their education have formed a desire in their heart to serve people with the intention of providing person-first, trauma informed, efficient, empathetic, and genuine administrative care to give providers and clients the best opportunity possible at impacting their lives in a positive way.
Reach Out Today
If you are done feeling lost, tired and overwhelmed by life and feel like you are ready to let go of what isn’t working, I am here to offer you a place to heal.