Maria Perez

I obtained my Bachelors degree in Psychology from Loyola University in Chicago in 2005. After graduating I had several roles working with survivors of intimate partner violence at the domestic violence court house as well as the domestic violence reduction unit at the 3rd district police station for 5 years. I then worked with families and children providing support around possible delays and behavioral issues at a head start program. These positions allowed me to gain a great deal of experience prior to going back to school to obtain my masters degree in social work.

I received my MSW from Jane Addams College of Social Work at UIC in 2016. While at UIC I was fortunate enough to also receive a certification in Evidence Based Practice with Children and Adolescents. Since then I have worked in several settings providing therapy to diverse populations of all ages and with a variety of needs, such as depression, anxiety, behavior issues and parental support to name a few.

I am a Latina immigrant from Mexico. My family migrated to Chicago when I was 8 years old. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, while my dad worked 7 days a week as a cook to provide for myself and four siblings. While they both had limited education their dream for us was that we would go on to college and have a career. My family instilled in me hard work ethic and empathy, which have shaped my approach to my profession and my clients. I am dedicated to serving and helping the community. My goal has always been to provide a safe and accepting place for other Latinx folks to be open to receiving therapy and healing themselves.