Maria Claudia Montes, Managing Director
A lifelong student of the human experience, Claudia is fascinated by how we operate in the world, how we choose our paths, how we see and value ourselves, and our relationship to our planet.
A Colombian immigrant immersed in the recovery of indigenous spiritual practices, yogic wisdom, as well as evidence-based trainings, Claudia is passionate about bringing balance to life through mind-body-spirit integration. She shares a holistic wellness perspective with her clients and students by inviting them to embrace nature, creative play, meditation, art, movement, and yoga therapies.
Claudia brings an eclectic background and interdisciplinary interests to her practice. She received her master’s degree in social work from New York University, and prior to that a bachelor's degree in social work from Ramapo College. She uses many therapeutic approaches in her work, including trauma-informed, person-centered, and strength-based methods as well as creative and expressive art therapies. Claudia brings lived experience to her counseling for, among others, addictions, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression.
Other trainings and certifications include: Post graduate certificate in Child and Family Therapy, 200hr Hatha Yoga Certification through Paula Heitzner, 300hr Yoga Therapist training through Yoga Mountain, PreK through 12 grade trauma informed yoga through Yoga Ed. and 200hr training in Kundalini through Yoga at the Ashram, and is a Reiki Master. Claudia is also certified in Hypnotherapy through The Holistic Healing Center and is currently working on her certification in Integrative Gestalt Coaching through the Holloman Institute.
In a parallel career, Claudia is a fashion designer and image consultant. She loves to bring the beauty from the inside into view. She earned an associate's degree in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Technology and has certifications in image consulting through The London Image Institute and esthetics/makeup artistry from Christine Valmay.
Join Claudia in a joyful exploration of yourself in the pursuit of balance, self-love, and mental wellness.