Maria Bermudez
My Experience
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Georgia and have been practicing systemic individual, couple, and family therapy since 1995. I am also a Clinical Fellow, an Approved Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and a National Council on Family Relations member. I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science and the doctoral program in Couple and Family Therapy at the University of Georgia. I have been a professor, researcher, and clinician for over 22 years, and it has been an immense honor to have worked with many great people. I am a theory and research-informed, strength-based therapist. I will work diligently to help you examine what is working well, consider what you want to change, and define clear action steps to help you achieve your personal or relational goals.
My Areas of Expertise
- Couples therapy (enrichment, pre-marital counseling, couples in different life stages, blended families, couples considering separation, divorce counseling, and co-parenting)
- Family therapy with all family forms and presenting challenges
- Experienced in working with people with diverse identities and backgrounds (gender, LGBTQ+, race, culture, nationality, ability status, religion, and spirituality, among others)
- I am also a person of faith, feminist-informed, originally from Honduras, fluent in Spanish, and have extensive experience working with Hispanic individuals, couples, and families and with people from marginalized communities.
My Education
As a first-generation college student, I have been very fortunate to have obtained my education. My Bachelor’s degree is in Psychology from the University of Houston, my Master of Science is in Marriage and Family Therapy from Purdue University, and my Ph.D. is in Human Development and Marriage and Family Therapy from Virginia Tech. I regularly present at national and international conferences and have published extensively in family therapy, family studies, and human development across the lifespan. For me, learning is always on the way, and I will continuously strive to remain in a learner position.
What to Expect from Me
As your therapist, you can expect me to create a space where you feel respected, heard, supported, guided, and at times challenged. I will also be candid about who I am and the life experiences that have taught me along the way. I hope that the clinical process we co-create is enriching and productive. I also conduct workshops and trainings related to relationship-building, couple and family enrichment, mindfulness and centering practices, and diversity training in various settings, such as work, schools, places of worship, and community settings.