Maria Tricarico

MS, REAT, ATR

Hello!

I’m Maria Tricarico

I am a Third Culture Kid and a therapist. I love drawing, going on walks with my dog, Mookie, and traveling to places I’ve never been before with my trusty adventure partner and husband, Michael. If I could have any super power in the world, it would be teleportation. Or speaking every language in the world. Or having a magic wand that helped every TCK feel loved and valued and accepted for who they are.

I may not have a magic wand, but I do have a combination of personal experience and professional training that makes me uniquely qualified to help TCKs who are struggling.

I’m a TCK

More specifically, a missionary kid. Though I was born in the USA, I spent much of my childhood living in Uganda and returning to the US periodically for furloughs and visiting family. I lived the struggle of trying to fit in with my peers in both countries. I *still* struggle with my cultural identity (because becoming an adult and a therapist does not make all this TCK stuff magically go away). I get it because it was my life too.

I’m a therapist

I have a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a postgraduate certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy and 4+ years post grad school working with both kids and adults using a combination of art, play, and talk therapies. I’ve worked with people experiencing a variety of different mental health struggles: anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse, eating disorders, self-harming, suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, bullying, identity exploration, navigating family conflict, coping with life stressors, and more. I am practicing under the credential of REAT (Registered Expressive Arts Therapist) which is regulated by the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association.

More about my training and experience:

  • Earned a BA in Psychology and Studio Art from Houghton University.

  • Earned a MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a post graduate certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy from Prescott College.

  • Experience as a Counselor in the following setting: outpatient non-profit counseling center for women over the age of 18.

  • Experience as an Art Therapist in the following settings: therapeutic day school (K-12), eating disorder center (PHP, IOP and outpatient levels), outpatient counseling center, group private practice.

  • Credentials: Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) and Registered Art Therapist (ATR).

  • Member of the following organizations: International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and American Art Therapy Association

  • Non-clinical professional experience with TCKs and ATCKs: private contract work with TCK Training (Unstacking Coach and guest presenter) and Kaleidoscope (guest TCK Club leader).

  • Other cross-cultural work: facilitated art therapy groups for refugees in coordination with the International Rescue Committee. Volunteer trip to Zambia to work in coordination with therapeutic staff at Beit-CURE Hospital and Special Hope Network.