Makayla Maffeo, CT

Makayla Maffeo (pronouns: she/her) is a counselor trainee who works with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Her areas of interest include: child and adolescent mental health, family relationships, trauma, and life transitions. She utilizes treatment approaches that are evidence-based and strives to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered.

Makayla completed her advanced education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology. She is currently a master’s student at Springfield College completing a degree in clinical mental health counseling. Through her education and clinical training, Makayla has developed a strong interest in providing compassionate and culturally responsive care.

Prior to joining Wellness Grove, Makayla has experience working with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of educational and supportive settings. Her professional background includes: working as a toddler teacher, ABA therapist, teaching fellow, and activity assistant in an assisted living setting. These positions bolstered her understanding of behavioral observation and assessment, behavioral modification, and classroom and group management

Beyond her clinical work, Makayla is an active member of the American Counseling Association. This affiliation along with her diverse experience across educational and caregiving environments has helped her develop patience, flexibility, and a strong ability to build trusting relationships.

Makayla's clinical approach is collaborative, strength-based, and trauma-informed with an emphasis on creating a strong therapeutic relationship. She believes that clients are experts on their own experiences, and that counseling should be a space where they feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions without judgement. She works collaboratively with clients to identify their strengths, develop practical coping strategies, and build greater confidence and resilience.

Her strengths include: compassion, patience, empathy, strong relationship-building skills, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to helping others feel supported and empowered.