ABOUT MAUREEN AQUILINA | THERAPIST
Support for Your Journey
I embrace a compassionate, non-judgemental and collaborate approach to therapy. My practice includes working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, difficult life transitions, aging, grief and loss.
I am a firm believer of integrating holistic approaches that speak to mind, body and spirit. I enjoy blending modalities such as mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, visualizations with traditional Cognitive Behavioral and Person Centered Therapies.
As humans, we experience a full range of emotions ... no emotion is without purpose. We learn new ways to responding which supports our emotional growth and sense of well-being. Acceptance of our emotions is paramount in order to have self-compassion.
My experiences in the the field of Medical Social Work allowed me to develop relationships with patients of all ages struggling with chronic and fatal illnesses. It was during these challenging times, as their advocate and therapist , that I learned about the human condition. I realized there was more than talk therapy.
My Professional Background
During my early 20's I experienced a devastating event. My best friend struggled with Postpartum Psychosis. During those times, this was only recognized as "the blues." I was pregnant at the time as well. I struggled with extreme anxiety and panic attacks since I thought the same could happen to me. This propelled me to seek out new moms in the community (I actually recruited them in the super market or at the pediatrician's office)! I was taken aback at the positive response to getting a group together to talk about the struggles of being a new parent. As a result, we engaged a Pediatric RN to join our group to answer questions surrounding our anxieties, excitement and medical advice. That was the beginning of my "grass roots" leadership experience. I knew this would be my path ... being an advocate for mental health!I started my journey receiving a Bachelor in Science in Human Ecology and Community Service at Michigan State University. I received my Master's in Social Work at State University of New York in Stony Brook. During that time, I interned at the Sudden Infant Death Center offering bereavement support groups for parents who lost their infant. Our team provided education to first responders, as well. This was indeed a heavy and life changing experience, yet enlightened me to the suffering humans can endure with support and compassion.
I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 25 years and am licensed in New York, Nevada, and California and have had a private practice in Psychotherapy for individuals, families, couples and support groups, as well as acting as an Independent Consultant for agencies focused on Behavioral Health.
I am a Certified Life Coach and a Certified Reflexologist as well. Both of these certifications have given me new perspectives in treating the whole person and partnering with my clients to create a personalized tool box to use throughout life's journey.