Meet Maria

Maria Dattilo, LAC

"What happens when your life begins to be built from self-trust instead of fear?"

There is a unique kind of grief in catching glimpses of the life you know you're capable of living-of who you could be beyond the anxiety, perfectionism, self-doubt, or people-pleasing that seem to keep pulling you back. When your inner voice feels hard to hear, you may find yourself feeling disconnected from what you truly want, uncertain about your choices, or longing to feel more at home within yourself.

I believe therapy can become a bridge between where you are and the life you know you're capable of creating-a space to meet the parts of yourself that have learned to protect you, understand what they need, and begin making choices from a more grounded and integrated place. Together, we can create space to slow down, turn inward, and reconnect with your emotions, your body, and your own inner wisdom. Who are you beyond your to-do lists, responsibilities, and expectations? This might mean learning to stay present with emotions you've learned to push away, becoming more aware of what your body is communicating, or discovering what becomes possible when you feel safe enough to be fully yourself.

Who I Work With

I work with individuals and couples who are seeking a deeper connection- to themselves, their bodies, their emotions, and the relationships that matter most.

Areas we might explore together include:

  • Anxiety, overthinking, and difficulty quieting the mind

  • Understanding your emotions intellectually, but struggling to actually feel and process them

  • Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and feeling disconnected from your own needs

  • Feeling stuck, stagnant, or uncertain about your next chapter

  • Life transitions, identity exploration, and questions about who you are becoming

  • Family-of-origin patterns and how past experiences shape the present

  • Communication challenges and relationship patterns with partners, friends, and family

  • Emotional or physical disconnection, intimacy concerns, and longing for deeper connection

  • Depression, burnout, and feeling overwhelmed by expectations

I also work with couples who want to better understand one another, move beyond painful patterns, and rebuild emotional closeness. Therapy can become a space to slow down, understand what is happening beneath the conflict, and create new ways of connecting.

My Approach

Our work goes beyond just managing symptoms - it is about creating new choices, strengthening self-trust, and building a life that feels more aligned with who you are. Short term coping strategies and long-term healing both have a place here. Together, we’ll develop practical tools to help you feel more grounded and equipped to navigate the challenges you’re facing now, while also exploring the deeper patterns, experiences, and protective parts that have shaped how you move through the world.

I work from a mindfulness-based, relational framework, and utilize aspects of emotionally focused therapy (EFT), somatic therapy techniques, CBT, and IFS- informed parts work. The foundation beneath any approach we explore together is connection: learning to understand yourself, befriend your nervous system, and create a more compassionate relationship with yourself.

We may practice slowing down, noticing what is happening in your body, and making room for emotions rather than immediately analyzing, fixing, or pushing them away. Through mindfulness and somatic practices, we'll build greater presence with your internal experience and gently expand your capacity to stay with even the uncomfortable emotions, so you can become more attuned to what you need and trust yourself to respond from that place.

All of you is welcome here...really, really! This is a place to lighten the load, to be witnessed and accepted in even the messiest, most contracted parts of yourself. My work is relational in that I will truly walk alongside you with curiosity and compassion as you reconnect with your own inner wisdom. I'll be present with you in the painful moments, laugh with you when humor finds its way into the room, and gently challenge you when you're ready to step outside of old patterns.

With seven years of experience as a mindfulness teacher and women's circle facilitator, I incorporate mind-body tools for clients who are interested in bringing mindfulness into their healing journey. This might look like integrating practices such as guided meditation, breathing techniques, journaling, and gentle movement into our sessions.

Couples Therapy

Sometimes the most painful place in a relationship is when two people love each other but feel trapped in patterns that leave them feeling unable to truly connect.

I support couples navigating:

  • Recurring conflict and feeling stuck in the same arguments

  • Communication struggles and difficulty expressing needs

  • Feeling more like roommates than partners

  • Emotional or physical disconnection, including differences in desire and intimacy

  • Rebuilding closeness after a breach of trust or painful experience

  • Feeling stagnant and disconnected from one another

I practice from an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) framework, helping partners identify the negative cycle that keeps them feeling stuck and disconnected. Sessions become a place to slow down and develop new ways of understanding and responding to one another. Together, we’ll create opportunities for emotional closeness where both partners feel seen and valued.

I also incorporate Gottman Method interventions to help couples strengthen communication, deepen friendship, and build intentional habits of connection outside of session.

Taking the next step

You deserve support and a warm space to land. If you're ready to move through life with greater clarity, confidence, and self-trust, I'd be honored to walk alongside you.

You can make an appointment with me by using our online portal at any time or by emailing info@abetterlifetherapy.com. Our team will be happy to support you in finding an appointment time that works for you! I provide appointments at our Galloway office along with providing therapy via telehealth. I can provide online therapy to people living in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

My rate per 50-minute session is $120.00

 
Schedule with me soon
 

Languages spoken:

English

I work WITH...

Adult Individuals

Couples

Specializations:

Anxiety

Life Transitions

Conflict

Emotional or Physical Disconnection

Trauma & Stress

Family-of-Origin Patterns

Relationship Patterns & Communication

training & Education:

The College of New Jersey

Masters of Arts in Mental Health Counseling

Temple University

Bachelors of Arts in Strategic Communication

Trained in:

Currently Training In Somatic Trauma Healing

Emotionally Focused Therapy- Philadelphia Center of Emotionally Focused Therapy