Mary Ann

Mary Ann Dawkins-Padigela

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

I am available to provide a safe, open space in which we can work collaboratively to support you in your journey of healing. I have a background of working with youth and children dealing with depression, anxiety and the throws of life. Personally I identify as a female, Black and Filipina, heterosexual therapist.

About Me

Building on our collaborative space, I help young people navigate depression, anxiety, and life’s challenges. We can explore feelings together, finding ways to make sense of their world. As a female, Black and Filipina therapist, I offer a unique perspective. This fosters a deeply understanding, culturally sensitive environment. Children and youth can feel truly seen here, supporting their healing journey.

Approach

Meeting in my Pinole office, sessions are calm and paced to your rhythm, with clear check-ins in English and practical steps we try together. I blend short, focused moments of mindfulness with gentle cognitive work and family-attuned conversation so young people can practice new ways of coping between visits. Expect hands-on tools, simple experiments, and space to name what matters without pressure. This approach often suits adolescents and families seeking grounded, culturally aware support as they work through anxiety, mood shifts, or relationship strains.
Contact Mary Ann

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Services


Services Offered:

  • Child / Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy for children and teenagers using age-appropriate methods, such as play, art, or adapted talk therapy, to address emotional and behavioural difficulties.

    Learn more about Child / Adolescent Therapy
  • Relationship Counseling

    Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.

  • Mindfulness

    The practice of paying deliberate attention to the present moment without judgement, used to reduce stress and increase awareness of automatic reactions.

    Learn more about Mindfulness
  • CBT

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.

    Learn more about CBT

Works With:

  • All ages

Area of Expertise


Scope of Practice:

  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • Cross-Cultural

    The psychological challenges of living between two or more cultures, including identity conflicts, acculturation stress, and difficulties with belonging.

  • Mood Disorder

    A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.

    Learn more about Mood Disorder
  • Family Issues

    Difficulties within the family system, including conflict, communication breakdown, blended family tensions, or intergenerational patterns, that affect individual and collective well-being.

  • PTSD

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition that develops after a traumatic event, causing flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.

    Learn more about PTSD
  • Relationship Issues

    Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.

    Learn more about Relationship Issues
  • Trauma

    The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.

    Learn more about Trauma

Professional Title:

  • Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

    A therapist in training working toward full licensure in marriage and family therapy, practising under clinical supervision.

Qualifications


Pacific Oaks College

Registrations


Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)

Marriage and Family Therapy Associate

Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)

Professional Clinical Counselor Associate

Service Area


Selva Counseling

In-person

San Francisco, California

United States