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Maria Mulvaugh

I work with individuals and couples who are navigating uncertainty, disconnection, or transition—those moments when something needs to shift, even if it's not yet clear what or how. I use solution-focused, strengths-based, and behavioral approaches to keep therapy practical, honest, and grounded in real life.

I'm naturally drawn to the messiness and resilience of being human. Sometimes, the best way through something hard is to laugh at how absurdly human we all are. I didn’t come to this work in a straight line. I grew up in a close-knit family in upstate New York, the middle child of three, deeply involved in sports and dance. I was a voracious reader and an old soul who often felt like I was meant to live in another century. That early longing for more depth, truth, and connection set the tone for the rest of my life.

After earning a degree in cultural geography at SUNY Geneseo, I studied in Nepal, taught English in Korea, and road-tripped through the Baja Peninsula at 21. I spent years in Colorado and Alaska working with sled dogs, including a winter deep in the bush without road access or neighbors for miles. Later, I transitioned into animal welfare and nonprofit management, where I gained a foundation in problem-solving, crisis response, and emotional regulation—skills I now use every day in my clinical work.

My focus eventually shifted from animal behavior to human behavior. I returned to school to become a social worker while raising my son, who was diagnosed with autism as a young child. That chapter of my life sharpened my sense of purpose and deepened my belief in equity, advocacy, and the need for systems that serve people, not overwhelm them.

The past decade as a leader and advocate for social services in Livingston has shaped my understanding of systems, power, and the real-world barriers people face when seeking help. Through it all, I remained most drawn to relationship dynamics: what connects us, what breaks us, and what it takes to transform neighborhoods into community.

I believe therapy should feel like a real conversation. I care about what works, not what sounds good. I'm fascinated by how people live, love, and heal. I approach my work with humility, curiosity, and respect for complexity. I resonate with Jung’s Explorer archetype, drawn to travel, experience, and learning through movement. My dad, who passed away in 2009, was a quiet philosopher and one of my greatest influences. He listened more than he spoke and lived by the idea of moving through life "with joy in your heart," which I strive to carry with me always.

Balance matters. Most of life happens in a grey area; often messy, honest, full of contradictions and humor. The trick is to grow, stay open, and show up through it all.

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Bachelor of Arts: Geography

State University of New York, 2001

Master of Social Work

Walla Walla University, 2017

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Montana Board of Behavioral Health, 2020

Maria Mulvaugh, L.C.S.W.

DIRECTOR / CO-FOUNDER

Maria Mulvaugh | Founder / Director
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