Maria Smith (she/her)

I am a clinical social worker licensed in Maryland + Washington, DC. I studied Social Work and African American Studies at Saint Louis University and received my Master of Social Work from University of Maryland, Baltimore. My areas of focus include racial identity development and complex trauma, chronic stress, and internalized white supremacy. I have primarily worked with children, youth and families. My approach is centered on developing a strong therapeutic relationship from a strengths-based, trauma-informed, liberation-focused approach. I believe there are many ways to find healing. My services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, family and/or community I serve. I strive to provide culturally-responsive, identity-affirming care.

I believe racism, white supremacy and colonialism are systemic injustices that have lasting impacts on the mental health & wellness of all people, but most negatively impact the mental health & wellness of Black people; more specifically, the descendants of African people enslaved and colonized by Europeans worldwide. I am currently in the process of deepening my understanding of the unique needs of Indigenous individuals & communities in the Americas, as survivors of genocide at the hands of white supremacist settler colonialism. I believe the hetero-normative, colonizing Christian world has been so harmful to LGBTQIA+ individuals & communities. I aspire to provide an affirming space, centering the needs of individuals & communities exploited and harmed most by white supremacy.