Meet the Instructor

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Maria has specialized in helping those incarcerated for Felony and Misdemeanor cases in Harris County & Hidalgo County. She has served as a Mental Health Professional over 25 years and as a Certified Adult Probation Officer over 16 years supervising substance abuse & Mental Health Caseloads. She was a Treatment Group Facilitator specializing in residential treatment based facilities such as MHMR, State Schools, State Hospitals, and Private hospitals working with individuals who suffered a DSM-V substance abuse & Mental Health disorder.

Maria’s most recent position in Houston, Texas as a Mental Health Probation Officer made her instrumental in the “Change Through Intervention” Mental Health Court. A Court focusing on implementing program Interventions to the highest levels of supervision. Maria prepared assessments and individualized treatment programs for high risk violent offenders. The majority of this population suffered with a substance abuse diagnosis in combination with a Mental Health diagnosis (Duel-Diagnosis) and resided in Professional Licensed Care Facilities.

Maria currently manages and oversees the day to day operations of her accredited Intervention Programs at Apple Recovery Services.  She collaborates closely with the Courts, Probation Departments, Parole Departments, Attorneys, DPS, TDCJ-CJAD, Health Care Providers, as well as Child Protective Services. 

Maria has a Degree in Criminal Justice and a Degree in Behavioral Mental Health. She received accreditation for the Batters Intervention Prevention Program through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Criminal Justice Assistance Division and is Licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for the DWI and Drug Offender Education Programs.  Maria is Certified to do Cognitive Behavior Intervention for Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program and Anger Management through the University of Cincinnati. 

Maria is committed to promoting a positive atmosphere to motivate, educate, and enhance community safety by providing clientele opportunities to change and become productive law abiding citizens. 

Supervising High-risk Violent Offenders with DSM-V Dual Diagnosis.

TRAS Certified (Texas Risk Assessment System)

Preparing Individual Treatment Case Plans

Jail Screenings for Program Placement 

Staffing & Communicating with Judges, Doctors, Court Staff, Attorneys, 

Probation Departments, and Clinical Staff. 

Assessment Screenings for Referral & Group Home Placement

Coordinating with Clinical Case Managers

Overseeing & Managing Client’s Clinical Services

De-escalating Crisis Situations & Problem Resolutions 

Mentoring Defendant’s Conditions of Probation

Familiar with Mental Health Intervention Services & Objectives

Fluent in Speaking/Writing Spanish & English 

Enhancing Intensive Outpatient Alcohol & Substance Abuse Programs 

Implementing Intervention Services & Effective Care Giving 

Conducting Group Sessions 

Making Referrals to Court Ordered Programs