Meet Our Team - Mariah Chew
Mariah Chew, M.A., AMFT
Position at the Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center:
Therapist
How long have you been working at Hallowell Todaro ADHD?
Since September 2021!
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in San Francisco, CA
What are your favorite books / TV shows / movies?
Favorite book: A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry; The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Favorite TV shows: Law and Order: SVU; CSI; Survivor; Hell’s Kitchen; RuPaul’s Drag Race
Favorite movies: Coach Carter; Stomp the Yard; Drumline; The Devil Wears Prada; Bring It On
What’s your favorite sport and/or sports team?
I am a huge Golden State Warriors fan! I love watching basketball and football.
Complete the following sentences:
When I’m not at work, you can find me...
playing with my dog or spending time with family and friends.
When I want to de-stress, I...
listen to music and dance.
My favorite time of year is...
fall because I love to wear sweaters!
My favorite thing to cook is...
braised short ribs or steak.
The best gift I ever received was…
a Cricut machine (for crafting!)
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I’d go to...
Italy.
What led you to pursue a career helping others?
In high school, I saw a therapist who had a profound impact on my life. Therapy was a transformative experience that helped increase my self-esteem and self-worth. My experience with this therapist inspired me to want to pursue a career that could positively impact my community by helping youth
What education, skills, and expertise do you bring to your role?
I hold a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior.
I first began working in the field around 8 years ago as a clinician at a learning center, where I worked with individuals impacted by learning differences, ADHD, Autism, attention challenges, dyslexia, poor processing skills, and executive function challenges.
Following my work at the learning center, I have provided individual, group, couples, and family therapy in various mental health settings. I have provided community-based mental health services to youth and their families in a Wraparound program. I have co-facilitated a community psycho-educational group for middle and high school students that covered topics such as self-care, mindfulness, social relationships, and self-esteem. I have also facilitated a process therapy group for parents of children with Cerebral Palsy. Most recently, I provided school-based individual, group and family therapy at a therapeutic day school for emotionally disturbed or other health impaired children. I supported clients with anxiety, depression, disruptive behaviors, mood dysregulation, relationship challenges, low self-esteem, adjustment difficulties, Autism, ADHD, and other learning challenges.
I utilize a relational, collaborative and strengths-based therapeutic approach when working with clients in order to create lasting change.
Who/what inspires you?
My family, friends and clients!
What’s your personal philosophy/approach toward the work you do?
When working with clients, I utilize a non-blaming and non-pathologizing stance. I approach therapy as a collaboration between clients and myself, and help clients embrace being the expert of their own lives. I view clients as separate from their problems and believe that clients have the skills and inner-strengths to reach their goals.
What is one small thing people can do to improve their lives and increase their happiness?
Getting quality sleep! A well-rested brain will help you to be the best version of yourself.
We provide a range of support for people with ADHD.