A Mother + A Daughter

Maria Basualdo, M.S., LMHC, BCBA

Co-Founder, Co-Owner | TimeSteps Behavioral Services
Founder & Owner | MB Psychotherapy

Maria Basualdo, M.S., LMHC, BCBA, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, scholar philosopher, and freelance writer. She is the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of TimeSteps Behavioral Services, as well as the Founder and Owner of MB Psychotherapy. With more than 20 years of clinical experience in psychotherapy, mental health, and behavioral services, Maria brings an interdisciplinary perspective shaped by her academic background in psychology, philosophy, counseling, and behavioral science. Her professional approach reflects a longstanding interest in the complexities of human behavior, emotional experience, and the relationships between individuals and their environments.

Throughout her career, Maria has provided psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Her clinical experience encompasses individual, family, couples, and group therapy, with particular expertise in trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), domestic violence, anxiety, depression, crisis intervention, and complex psychological and behavioral conditions. She has worked extensively with survivors of abuse and individuals experiencing psychological distress, often within circumstances shaped by social vulnerability and limited access to resources. Her commitment to underserved populations reflects a broader concern for human dignity, equity, and access to appropriate mental health care.

Maria's psychotherapeutic perspective integrates systemic, cognitive, intrapsychic, and behavioral approaches to understanding the complexities of psychological functioning. She considers not only observable behavior but also cognitive processes, emotional experiences, internal conflicts, interpersonal relationships, and the broader family and social systems in which individuals develop. This integrative framework informs her clinical assessment and treatment planning, allowing her to consider the multiple dimensions of a person's experience while selecting interventions appropriate to their individual needs.

Her experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) includes functional behavior assessments, individualized intervention planning, skill acquisition, behavioral data analysis, caregiver training, and clinical supervision. She has worked with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental differences, and complex behavioral needs, collaborating with families, schools, and interdisciplinary teams. Her background in psychotherapy contributes an additional clinical perspective to her understanding of family dynamics, emotional well-being, and the contextual factors that influence behavior. She values the scientific foundations of ABA while recognizing the importance of approaching each child as an individual whose development takes place within meaningful relationships and everyday experiences.

Maria holds a Master of Science in Counselor Education, specializing in Mental Health Counseling, from Florida International University, and a Master of Science in Behavior Analysis from Purdue University Global. She also earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Florida International University, one in Psychology and another in Philosophy. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in all four degree programs, including both master's degrees and both bachelor's degrees. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Buenos Aires, School of Psychology. Beyond clinical practice, her interests in philosophy, ethics, and the human sciences inform her work as a scholar and freelance writer, including contributions to publications, interviews, and documentaries.

As Co-Founder, Co-Owner, of TimeSteps Behavioral Services, Maria brings together her clinical experience, intellectual background, and commitment to individualized, family-centered care. She believes that scientific rigor and a comprehensive understanding of human experience are complementary foundations of responsible clinical practice. Together with her daughter and fellow Co-Founder, Isabella Gastaldi, she established TimeSteps to provide evidence-based behavioral services within an environment that values collaboration, individuality, and meaningful human connection. Her philosophy emphasizes taking the time to understand each child, recognizing the circumstances that shape development, and creating opportunities for learning, independence, and personal growth.