Maria Torres, Psy.D.

Dr. Torres earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from California Southern University. She also holds a M.A. in Psychological Counseling from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico- Metropolitan campus, and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico- Rio Piedras campus. Dr. Torres has experience providing care in outpatient/inpatient settings including psychiatric centers, mental health clinics, a local governmental agency, and telehealth.

Supervised by Dr. Sean Hodges, Ph.D., MSCP - PSY20658

Dr. Torres has been in the mental health field for 12+ years. She is bi-lingual and can offer services in English and Spanish. She specializes on general psychological testing for depression, anxiety disorders, personality functioning, PTSD, suicidal and homicidal ideation, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Her approach in therapy includes evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing.

Her specialties in therapy include working with adults who struggle with depression, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, relationship issues, emotional regulation, grief, complex trauma, intimate partner violence, substance use disorders, personality disorders, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and culturally informed interventions. Her specialties also include pediatric mental health, working with children, teens, and families on navigating family structure changes, blended family dynamics, family communication, and boundaries.

Dr. Torres is originally from Puerto Rico and has lived in Hawai’i, North Carolina, and currently in San Diego, CA. She loves the ocean, mountains, traveling, and spending time with friends, family, and dogs.

Dr. Torres is dedicated to shifting misconceptions about mental health in both younger and older generations. She is also committed to bringing humanized care into treatment.

“Safety IS the treatment; emotional regulation flows naturally from being in the presence of someone we trust.” — Bonnie Badenoch