From Separation to Strength: Dr. Maria Rodriguez Builds a Counseling Legacy Rooted in Healing

Dr. Maria Rodriguez knows what it means to be separated from family, language, and familiarity — and to rebuild from that pain with purpose. As a young girl navigating life between the Dominican Republic and the United States, Maria’s early years were marked by dislocation, emotional upheaval, and resilience. Today, that lived experience forms the heartbeat of Care Counseling Center, the mental health sanctuary she founded in Somerville, USA, for immigrants, trauma survivors, and those seeking a way forward.

The Emotional Blueprint Behind a Healing Space

Maria’s journey began with loss and longing. Sent back to the Dominican Republic at just two years old, she reunited with her mother at nine — a moment of joy mixed with deep emotional readjustment. That rupture, and the internal resilience it forged, inspired her to create something she never had — a place where people feel seen, safe, and supported.

As Maria shares, “I have experienced the same difficulties that my clients do, such as emotional trauma and cultural displacement. To provide a space where people feel seen, heard, and supported is precisely why I founded Care Counselling Centre.”

Determined to rise above her circumstances, Maria pursued higher education relentlessly — earning a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Ph.D. in General Psychology. Each degree wasn’t just a credential — it was a declaration: no obstacle would define her future.

Care Counseling Center: More Than Therapy

Under Maria’s leadership, Care Counseling Center is now a respected hub for trauma-informed, culturally competent therapy. Specializing in mental health support for immigrants, families, and children, her bilingual and diverse team goes beyond sessions — they offer validation, empowerment, and clarity in lives where confusion and grief often dominate.

Maria puts it simply: “When someone walks through our doors, they’re not just a case number. They’re a person with a story that deserves to be honored.”

Their work — especially in complex immigration psychological evaluations — has not gone unnoticed. With two consecutive Best of Somerville Awards and features on FOX and PBS, Care Counseling Center is becoming a national model for community-rooted mental health innovation.

From Margin to Center: A Latina Founder’s Fierce Climb

Maria didn’t have a roadmap. No investors. No mentors. And an industry with few faces like hers. She broke the mold, brick by brick.“ I had to prove myself at every turn. I learned to build my own table instead of waiting for a seat at someone else’s,” she says. Her identity — as an immigrant, woman of color, and trauma survivor — became her strength. Today, it informs every policy, practice, and patient interaction at the Center.

A Note to Women with Big Dreams

Maria speaks directly to aspiring women founders: start even when it’s hard, and stay even when it hurts. She urges them to embrace their stories — even the messiest chapters — and lean into education, community, and bold self-belief.

In her words: “What tried to break you will become the foundation of your strength.”

A Legacy Written in Care, Not Credentials

Dr. Maria Rodriguez is still writing her story — and it’s a story of healing, not just hustle. At Care Counseling Center, she’s helping others reclaim their voice, power, and peace — one session, one soul at a time. Because for Maria, success isn’t measured in headlines or honors — it’s in every life touched, and every hope restored.

Website: carecounselingcenter.org