We recently connected with Maria Reiter and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Maria, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Starting my own private practice was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. I had no guarantee it would succeed, and the uncertainty was daunting. But my passion for helping other women, especially those who, like me, have struggled with anxiety and trauma, drove me forward. I knew that the work I wanted to do was needed, and that belief gave me the courage to step into the unknown. Even though I faced moments of doubt and fear, I held onto the conviction that if I could help even one woman regain her strength and confidence, the risk would be worth it.
Maria, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As a mental health therapist and practice owner, I work with Gen Z and millenial women struggling with anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, and people pleasing tendencies in therapy. I consider myself a modern and relatable therapist who is the opposite of a blank slate–I bring my true self to sessions with relatable examples and tools for my clients. This approach makes therapy more collaborative, empathetic, and tailored to each client’s needs.
I can also relate to a lot of the issues that clients come to therapy for (which a lot of my clients love about working with me). I am a Gen Z therapist, which means I am on social media spreading relatable and educational mental health content. I also love to learn more about mental health through books, podcasts, and documentaries.
Currently, I am offering individual holistic online therapy and EMDR intensives for residents of Wisconsin or Florida.
Outside of working within my own private practice, I love to volunteer my time and money to support women empowerment organizations as I want to uplift and support the voices of women in our society. As Meghan Markle says, “Women don’t need to find a voice, they have a voice, and they need to feel empowered to use it, and people need to be encouraged to listen.”
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
If I had to choose again, I would become a therapist every single time. The opportunity to help women overcome anxiety and trauma as my day job is incredibly fulfilling—there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone reclaim their life and confidence. Beyond that, I get to channel my creativity into content creation, spreading awareness, and destigmatizing mental health on a larger scale. It’s the perfect balance of making a tangible impact in individual lives while also contributing to a broader cultural shift. This dual role allows me to blend my passion for helping others with my love for creativity, making it the most meaningful and exciting path I could imagine.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
My success as a mental health therapist stems from my decision to specialize in helping women overcome anxiety and trauma. By niching down and focusing exclusively on this specific population, I’ve been able to develop a deep understanding of their unique struggles and needs to truly understand their experiences (partly because I have been there too). This specialization allows me to provide highly tailored support that truly resonates with the women I work with, leading to more impactful outcomes. I’ve learned that when you try to help everyone, you end up helping no one. By dedicating my practice to this niche, I’ve been able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the women I serve, offering them the focused, empathetic care they deserve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mentalhealthbymaria.com
- Instagram: @mentalhealthbymaria
- Other: Tik Tok @mentalhealthbymaria