Aloha! My name is Dr. Maya Matheis. As a clinical psychologist, my focus is providing support services to children, adolescents, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. I specialize in parent coaching, mental health therapy, and diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders.

My clinical approach has three main pillars: alliance, respect, and empathy.

• Alliance: I actively work to create a strong alliance with my clients and their families so that we are working as a partnership.
• Respect: I treat all people with dignitiy and respect, and affirm all identities. I believe that people with neurodevelopmental differences know what they need.
• Empathy: I provide a safe space for my clients’ thoughts and feelings. I will listen and learn alongside you.

I am passionate about the use of evidence-based practices, which are often restricted to research settings.  As a researcher, I stay abreast of trends and findings and incorporate them into my practice. I currently am a researcher at the Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa. My research interests center on the implementation of autism interventions in the community and low-resource settings.

Clinical Training

2019-2021  Postdoctoral Scholar, UC Davis MIND Institute

2018-2019   APA-Accredited Predoctoral Psychology Internship, UC Davis CAARE Center &  MIND Institute

2019   Certification in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

2018-2019   Northern California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program

Education

2019   PhD, Clinical Psychology, Louisiana State University

2014   MSW, Child Mental Health, Washington University in St. Louis

2007    BA, Psychology, Bard College at Simon’s Rock