about maggie

I know what it’s like.

I know what it’s like to be at the top of your game, yet still feel like you can’t relax. Something is off. If you can just get to that next level, then maybe things will fall into place.

I know what it’s like to realize that you’re the one holding yourself back.

In my 20’s I moved to New York City to pursue my life’s dream as a musical theatre performer. I had the talent, I had the drive, and I had a lot of success…but I never felt like I had really arrived. Even though I succeeded in spite of some self-sabotage and bridge-burning, I got tired of the pain, all of the ways I kept tripping over myself. I knew a better way was possible.

It took me a long time, and a lot of my own inner work, to come into right relationship with myself and the world. I dove deep into my own trauma work, then trained rigorously so I could give to others what had been given to me.

Over time I traded proving myself for calm, grounded confidence. I learned how to redefine success which, paradoxically, made success more available. I learned how to know and like myself, and to have my own back.

Today I work with other women at the top of their game, to help them do the same. (And yes, I also went back to performing; today I have a thriving nationwide career. You might see me now and then.)

What made me the therapist I am today?

In grad school I had a profound experience that changed the course of my career.

Shortly after starting my first semester of grad school I developed chronic, severe panic attacks that threatened to derail my schooling and my life. (School had stirred up some untreated early trauma, which manifested as panic attacks “out of nowhere”.)

I was in therapy at the time, with a wonderful therapist, but “talk therapy” couldn’t move the needle on the panic attacks. They got worse — to the point that I told her I’d have to leave the program if they persisted.

Sensing my desperation, she recommended I see a chiropractor who did a kind of integrative, body-based therapy that healed the long-standing trauma I’d been dealing with in therapy — without having to talk about it or relive it.

Within two sessions my panic attacks were virtually gone. 20 years later? Still gone.

I wanted to give my clients the same kind of relief I’d found, so I started training in holistic therapy methods that incorporate the body, the brain + nervous system, even the body’s the energy system.

Today I incorporate all that I’ve learned to help my clients heal deeply, so they can live a life more aligned with their values.

Education

Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology
Antioch University, Los Angeles – 2002

Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Arts
San Jose State University – 1995

Deep Coaching Intensive
Center for Transformational Coaching – 2021

Licenses & Certifications

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (WA, CA, CT, NJ, PA)

Certified Brainspotting Therapist

Certified Deep Transformational Coach

Training

Brainspotting Levels 1-4 plus advanced trainings
(read my published article about Brainspotting here)

Advanced Integrative Therapy (former teacher/trainer)

Acceptance + Commitment Therapy, Level 1

Emotional Freedom Technique

Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath

Gottman Method, Level 1

100-hour Meditation Teacher Training

When I take my therapist hat off...

I balance my therapy practice with a thriving career as an actress and musician, performing all over the country. I especially love playing bluegrass and traditional Irish music.

Favorite vital document: passport

Travel is in my blood! Ever since my first backpacking trip to Europe after high school, I’ve taken every opportunity to see the world. Next on my wish list: Morocco and India.

George Peckham, LMFT

“Maggie's expertise and experience with many powerful models of therapy have been most useful in my consultation calls with her. She's thoughtful, warm, compassionate, focused and at ease with how she communicates information during case consultation. I am sure her clients feel this same level of presence. In fact, someone I referred to her shared with me these same experiences while working with her.”