About Maria
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Maria is a registered social worker, psychotherapist, and ISST-CAST Certified Sandplay Therapist and Senior Teacher-Supervisor. Her work is informed by anti-oppressive perspectives, knowledge about trauma and social-environmental effects, neuroscience findings, the mind-body relationship, symbolic process, and spirituality. Her over twenty years of experience integrates sandplay, art, mindfulness, and play with verbal therapies. In addition to private practice, Maria has worked in public healthcare and community settings, including:
After her masters-level coursework with an indigenous elder, Maria was invited to teach and to learn from indigenous students and colleagues as an instructor at (now) Toronto Metropolitan University. |
Foundational Studies
Maria has studied Carl Jung’s work on archetypal symbolism and theories of the human psyche for many years. Her personal work with Jungian analyst Marion Woodman deepened this learning through both dreamwork and experiential psyche-soma workshops. This journey has informed Maria's understanding of the integral role the body plays in the process of self-realization.
In addition to extensive clinical training, Maria achieved certification in Jungian Sandplay, a modality developed by Jung’s student Dora Kalff. Maria’s training in Play Therapy includes intensive study with Child Psychologist and Play Therapy Supervisor Violet Oaklander.
In addition to extensive clinical training, Maria achieved certification in Jungian Sandplay, a modality developed by Jung’s student Dora Kalff. Maria’s training in Play Therapy includes intensive study with Child Psychologist and Play Therapy Supervisor Violet Oaklander.
Professional Affiliations
Maria is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and holds Masters Degrees in Social Work and Sociology.
She is a Past President of the Canadian Association for Sandplay Therapy (CAST), and a Senior Teaching Member of CAST and the International Society for Sandplay Therapy (ISST). She provides internationally recognized sandplay training, supervision, workshops and conference presentations.
She is a Past President of the Canadian Association for Sandplay Therapy (CAST), and a Senior Teaching Member of CAST and the International Society for Sandplay Therapy (ISST). She provides internationally recognized sandplay training, supervision, workshops and conference presentations.