About Maria

Maria Beatty, LPC, MA

I have worked with families for over twenty years. I have been a coach, a classroom teacher, early childhood teacher, childbirth instructor, childbirth doula and athletic coach. My deep engagement with all stages of development informs my therapeutic work each and every day. From big life transitions down to mundane tasks, my clients receive grounded and evidence-based care that helps them find balance and resilience so that they can live a fully-engaged vibrant and flourishing existence.

I am trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Racial Trauma Therapy, also Motivational Interviewing. I have helped students overcome test-anxiety, performance anxiety, and social anxiety. As well, I have worked with couples in adoption and foster transitions.

In my spare time, I can be found walking in the Wissahickon Woods with my dog, Tivoli, trying to reach my goal of 10,000 steps per day.

Why Poema?

The name Poema is inspired by the ancient Greek verb “to make” or “to create.” A poem is a unit of thought, deliberately-arranged by rhyme or meter. Similarly, our inner lives are our thoughts, which we arrange and frame in order to make sense of our relationships and the world around us. The goal of counseling is to reframe life events and transitions into something meaningful and clear in order to have a flourishing-forward movement out of our stuck-points.

Professional Bio

EDUCATION

Eastern University, St. David’s, PA

Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy (anticipated graduation 2028)

Missio Seminary, Philadelphia, PA

Certificate of Advanced Professional Counseling, December 2020

Westminster Theological Seminary, Glenside, PA

Master of Arts, 2014

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelor of Arts with Double Major: Religious Studies and Creative Writing Poetry, 1999

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

Pennsylvania Hospital of Penn Medicine Chair-Elect of the People Group for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Work Group (2022-2024)

KISMET COWORK “Tripled Memberships” Distinction (2019)

Anthropologie “Best Customer Connection for Black Friday” (2018)

Archdiocese of Philadelphia Nominee for Teacher of the Year, (2014)

Successful Completion of the Internship at Christian Counseling Education Foundation

(2013–2014)

Best of Philly Award for “Best Classes for Families,” Maternal Wellness Center (2007)

Recipient of The Emerging Writer Award, Three Rivers Review (1999)

Featured Writer, Three Rivers Review (1998)

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Pennsylvania

Certified Doula, DONA International

Bradley Method Certified Childbirth Educator