Behind the Scenes With Andrea Santa Maria of Delilah Counseling

When Andrea Santa Maria was trying to think of a name for her therapy practice, she wanted something meaningful. She had a desire to work with women and girls, so she wanted a name that symbolized femininity. She loved the metaphorical connection between mental health and nature, so she thought something botanical that represented rebirth would be perfect.

One day, Andrea was with a friend and noticed a wilted, neglected plant sitting in the backseat of her friend's car. When her friend suggested that plants are "resilient like children," a lightbulb went on in Andrea's mind. 

She decided to visit a greenhouse for inspiration and was introduced to a plant named Delilah. Turns out, as the Delilah plants blooms, it requires more care and support, much like people do. Andrea knew exactly what to name her practice and this is how Delilah Counseling was born. ​

Andrea always knew she wanted to work in a career field that allowed her to help people and it was during her own youth that she discovered her calling. Her high school experience at an all-girls school gave her a glimpse into issues that adolescent females deal with and was quite eye-opening. She witnessed young girls struggle with eating disorders, low  self-esteem, and your typical boy problems. It was also clear to her that self-care, boundaries, and communication were not something most girls are very good at. And in our current social media era, girls and women are faced with more challenges than ever before. ​Anyone watching the news today is sure to be bombarded with anxiety-inducing stories, messages of fear, and pushes for political divide. For youth, these stressors are further compounded by bullying, the pressures of social media, and relationship difficulties - platonic, romantic and familial. 

After earning her Masters in Counseling from Belmont University, Andrea held an internship at Hope Clinic For Women. This experience further solidified her passion to work with girls and women and help them overcome issues across the mental health spectrum. She works with clients of all ages and demographics and enjoys the range of reasons that girls and women come to see her. While many of her clients experience similar problems, they each have their own lived experience to talk about.

"​I believe that one of the first and most powerful steps in therapy is simply developing an innate sense of self awareness around your thoughts, emotions, and story while learning to make meaning from past experiences."

At Delilah Counseling, Andrea helps women and girls unlock their true potential by providing a space that is filled with empathy, authenticity, and inspiration. She takes a holistic, modern approach to therapy that is client-centered, as each woman's story is unique. She enjoys working with women and girls who are experiencing issues such as trauma, eating disorders, relationship struggles, self-esteem, grief and loss, anxiety, motherhood, depression, suicidal thoughts, stress, familial conflict, and navigating life transitions.

Watch Andrea's interview below, where she talks more about Delilah Counseling and the way her clients inspire her through their bravery, strength, and determination. 

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