Each session will begin with an offering of three deep breaths: a simple & effective way to regulate the nervous system and mark the beginning of a special, nurturing hour for you. Then, I will likely ask you if there is anything in particular you wanted to be sure to cover or explore in this session. If not, no problem! We will use your therapy goals, which we co-create during our first sessions, to guide us into giving you exactly the session you are craving that day.
The relationship between a person and their therapist is the #1 predictor of successful therapy (we call it the "therapeutic relationship"), so one size absolutely does not fit all! Clients who work best with me say that I am warm, genuine, and "I somehow just start opening up when I'm with you." I'm also a total psychology nerd, so they like that I can bring wisdom from many different aspects of neuroscience, emotional intelligence, attachment theories, and behavioral sciences. Clients tell me that they love that I get their story. The number of clients I see each week is intentionally small (about half the size of most therapists), so I really see each client as an individual. Oh, and nothing you tell me will surprise me or make me judge you- seriously! I love what I do, this is my calling in life, and I think it shows.
I see clients on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I am a big fan of work/life balance (when available), so I try to practice what I preach.
I offer a holistic, trauma-informed approach to therapy that draws on several evidence-based modalities, including Somatic Experiencing (somatic therapy), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS / parts work), mindfulness-based approaches, and Solution-Focused Therapy. This blend allows us to work with both the mind and the body to create lasting, meaningful change. I specialize in trauma therapy, therapy for people pleasers, therapy for moms, therapy for perfectionism, and social anxiety therapy in St. Louis, Missouri.
I accept Aetna insurance plans. I can also provide Superbills for you to submit to your insurance company for Out of Network benefits.
Sessions are 50-55 minutes in length and cost $175 per session. I also accept non-marketplace Aetna insurance plans. I can also provide Superbills for you to submit to your insurance company for Out of Network benefits.
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-based approach to healing trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses primarily on thoughts and emotions, Somatic Experiencing works with the physical sensations and stress responses held in your body. Many people find that they can talk about their experiences for years without feeling truly different — Somatic Experiencing gets to where the healing actually needs to happen. It is especially helpful for trauma, anxiety, people-pleasing patterns, and chronic stress. I offer Somatic Experiencing therapy in St. Louis, Missouri, both in person and virtually throughout Missouri.
I love using it because it doesn't rely on content or stories, so if you have no clear explanation on *why* you feel the way you do, Somatic Experiencing might be a great tool for you. I also find it particularly helpful for those who are drawn to other forms of embodiment-- dance, yoga, weight lifting, etc-- but tend to be in their heads most of the day.
I work primarily with women in St. Louis, Missouri who are ready to stop putting themselves last and start living a life that feels truly their own. My clients are often high-functioning people pleasers, self-silencers, perfectionists, and moms who look like they have it all together on the outside but are exhausted, disconnected, and quietly struggling on the inside. Many of my clients have tried therapy before but felt like something was missing — that's often where Somatic Experiencing, parts work, and a truly holistic approach makes all the difference. I see clients in person in Maplewood, South St. Louis City, and the surrounding area, and virtually throughout Missouri.
Yes, I offer both in person and virtual appointments, as long as you are in Missouri.
While I am in love with the beautiful, sunlit office space at Forest & Meadow, I am so grateful for the opportunity to see clients virtually. Whether you are fitting therapy into your work day, home with a brand new baby, or meeting me in your car while your kid's at soccer practice, I am happy to see you & we can get SO much work done.
You can let me know up to 5 minutes before your session time if you'd like to switch to virtual...anytime!
Most of clients start off seeing me once per week. Many people who have been meeting with me for a while will see me less frequently once they start feeling better (every other week or even "as needed").
I recommend committing to the process for at least 2-3 months before expecting changes. Meeting with me a couple of times will not be enough to do the deep work needed to help you make major shifts in your life. Some of my clients see me short-term for about 3-6 months, while other prefer to do deeper work with me as their ongoing therapist for a year or several years.
Please discuss your expectations with me in our first session!
Therapy scheduling with Maria is based on a time slot: You commit to a day & time, and I will hold that space for you with consistency.
For the first 6 weeks of therapy, you agree to meet weekly at the same day & time every week (ie, Tuesdays at 12pm). This is your slot every week for the first six weeks. If you have a career that regularly changes your schedule, you can check with me about any flexible openings I have. After the first 6 weeks, we will discuss if & whether you’d like to adjust your frequency.
Cancellations made 14 days in advance will not be charged. This means if you have vacation or a doctor’s appointment on Monday, 1/14, you can let me know by Monday, 1/1 that you need to cancel, and this cancellation will incur no charge.
Within 14 days of your appointment, you can email me to reschedule your appointment within the same week as your scheduled appointment if I have availability. If there is no availability, you will still pay for your original appointment slot.
I understand illnesses & other emergencies come up. In order to help with this, I offer two things:
1. You can switch to a virtual session at anytime, up to an hour before your session start time. This can allow you to attend your session while at home, in the car, or at work. Simply email me to let me know: mariamillerstl@gmail.com
2. You are allowed 2 “free passes” per year (the year date starts when you start therapy). These 2 free passes can be used any time and you will not be charged for those missed sessions. Simply email me to let me know you are wanting to use one of your free passes. For example, if you wake up sick on the day of your appointment, you can use 1 of your 2 free passes to not pay for your cancellation that day. You can use a free pass up until the start time of your appointment, after which you will incur a missed session fee. In addition, a free pass cannot be used for a termination session.
The missed session fee is the full cost of your session (including what insurance covers, if applicable).. The missed session fee will be billed to your credit card on file at the time of your missed session, or is due on or before your next scheduled appointment. A session is considered missed after 15 minutes from the session start time with no communication to the therapist.
Your privacy, confidentiality, and sense of safety is of utmost importance & something therapists are ethically & legally bound to. It is important to note however, that in the case of child or elder abuse, intent of homicide, or intent of suicide, therapists are mandated reporters. This means that in these situations, we are required by law to report to the local authorities. In these cases, you will be informed and involved. Maria' supervisor, Abby Claeys, will also be approving Maria's chart notes and discussing cases with her in order to provide you with the most thorough treatment possible.