Dr. Maritza Soto, Ph.D, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Availability: Currently accepting new clients virtually and in person in Plantation.

Hi, I am Dr. Maritza Soto! I work with individuals who have experienced childhood trauma and are facing challenges in their relationships, college students navigating an adjustment or identity-shift challenge, and individuals who are facing a terminal illness and the end-of-life transition. I am a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern with over 12 years of experience, and I create a warm, culturally sensitive space where clients feel safe, seen, and supported as they navigate these deeply personal journeys. As a bilingual therapist, I also welcome clients who feel more comfortable expressing themselves in Spanish.

Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially when you're carrying experiences from your past, navigating a major life transition, or facing something as profound as a terminal illness. My goal is to create a warm, nonjudgmental space where you feel safe being honest about what you're experiencing.

My therapeutic approach

Throughout our time together, I draw on approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused Therapy, tailored to what you need most. We will check in regularly on your progress and adjust as we go, so that you leave our sessions with both deeper self-understanding and practical tools you can carry into everyday life.

Our first session is an opportunity for me to get to know you — your history, your current concerns, and what you're hoping to gain from our work together. From there, we identify your primary goals and build an approach that fits your unique situation. For clients working through childhood trauma, this often means exploring how early experiences continue to shape relationship patterns, and building new skills for trust, communication, and connection. For college students, we focus on managing stress, building coping tools for anxiety and depression, and navigating the adjustment to this new stage of life.

For clients facing a terminal illness, our work centers on processing grief, finding meaning, and feeling supported through the end-of-life journey — at whatever pace feels right for you.

Areas of focus

  • Anger Management

  • Anxiety

  • Boundary Issues

  • Childhood Trauma

  • Depression

  • Family Issues

  • Identity Crisis

  • Life Transition

  • Relationship Challenges

  • Social Anxiety

  • Stress Management

Education

  • Masters in Community Counseling from Florida A&M University.

  • Ph.D from Grand Canyon University

Are you ready to start your healing journey?

Email shay@yourroadtohealing.com if you have any questions.