Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Malo.
Hi Maria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey into psychotherapy began long before I ever called it a career. From a young age, I was deeply curious about people; what shapes us, what hurts us, and how we heal. Like many therapists, my path started with my own experiences of pain and transformation. Through my personal healing process, I came to understand how powerful compassion, presence, connection, and self-awareness can be. That realization became the foundation of my life’s work.
Following that calling took me from New York to California, where I earned my master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and began what has now been a 25+ year journey helping others heal and grow.
Over the years, my work has evolved to focus on helping people heal from trauma, reconnect with their inner child, and rediscover a sense of wholeness. I integrate evidence-based modalities like EMDR with more experiential approaches such as Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), creating a space where deep healing and transformation can occur. My goal is to help clients not just manage symptoms, but truly shift patterns, release old pain, and reconnect with their most authentic selves.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like any meaningful journey, my path hasn’t always been smooth. There have been moments of doubt, challenges in balancing personal life with a demanding career, and the emotional weight of holding space for others’ pain. Early on, I also had to confront my own unresolved experiences of trauma and growth, which was both humbling and transformative. Those struggles, however, became an essential part of my development — they deepened my empathy, strengthened my resilience, and reinforced why I do this work.
Even the challenging moments taught me invaluable lessons: the importance of self-care, the power of community, and the need to continue my own healing alongside my clients’. I’ve learned that the bumps along the road aren’t setbacks — they are part of the journey toward authenticity, insight, and purpose. In many ways, navigating these struggles has allowed me to show up more fully and compassionately for the people I work with every day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My private practice, Maria Malo Therapy & Psychedelic Healing, is based in Orange County and Arcadia, California. I specialize in helping adults heal from trauma, chronic depression, and anxiety, and reconnect with their most authentic selves. My approach is grounded in compassion, depth, and presence — creating a safe space where clients can explore their inner world and begin to release long-held pain.
Over the years, my work has expanded to include Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), a modality that combines the power of psychotherapy with the transformational effects of Ketamine. I was drawn to this work after experiencing its profound healing potential firsthand — both personally and through the breakthroughs I witnessed in my clients. KAP has allowed many people who felt “stuck” in their healing to access deeper emotional release, clarity, and connection to self.
What sets my practice apart is the integration of science, soul, and compassion. My sessions are not just about treating symptoms; they’re about guiding clients back to wholeness. I also believe in meeting each person exactly where they are, whether that means traditional talk therapy, trauma-focused EMDR, or experiential approaches that bridge mind, body and spirit.
I’m most proud of the authenticity behind my work. Everything I offer comes from lived experience, extensive training, and a genuine belief in the human capacity to heal. My goal is for clients to leave therapy not just feeling better, but more empowered, self-aware, and connected to who they truly are.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with me through individual psychotherapy sessions or Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), either in my Orange County or Arcadia offices. I also offer integration sessions for those who’ve had psychedelic experiences and want professional support in processing and grounding their insights.
I love collaborating with other healing professionals; including psychiatrists, medical providers, and therapists, who share an interest in trauma recovery and psychedelic-assisted therapies. I also welcome referrals from clinicians and the community who feel someone might benefit from KAP or trauma-focused therapy, and I’m always happy to refer out when another trusted provider might be the best fit. Collaboration and community are at the heart of this work, no one heals in isolation.
For anyone curious about how KAP or trauma therapy might help them, I offer a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation to explore whether we’re a good fit.
The best way to connect is through my website or by reaching out directly to schedule a consultation. Supporting this work also means helping to normalize conversations around trauma, emotional healing, and the safe, ethical use of psychedelic therapy, topics that are close to my heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mariamalotherapy.com www.mariamalopsychedelictherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariamalotherapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariamalotherapy/
Image Credits
Ethera
