Ritamaria Laird

is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Theraplay Therapist. Ritamaria completed her graduate training at Roosevelt University and has spent her professional career as a pediatric therapist, clinical supervisor, and as the clinical director of a child and family private practice, Individual and Family Connection, located in Chicago, Il and River Forest, Il.

Ritamaria’s areas of expertise and passion include building healthy attachments and bonds between children and their caretaker. She has experience working with children who have had relational trauma, abuse, neglect, loss, “BiG T” traumas, and medical trauma. Ritamaria is also focused in supporting parents by helping them understand the meaning behind their child’s behavior. Ritamaria uses a strengths-based approach and in addition to Theraplay, Ritamaria is trained in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and EMDR.

Ritamaria has a warm, supportive presence. Her clients and supervisees share they feel at ease when they meet Ritamaria for the first time. Ritamaria is able to connect with some of the most ‘hard to reach’ clients by validating their struggles and taking the time to understand the unique way they experience the world. She is often quick to identify her client’s strengths (even when they can’t find them for themselves) and is able to help them utilize these strengths to reach their personal goals. Ritamaria views therapy and supervision as a collaborative effort to create positive change and strengthen family systems and relationships.

Ritamaria Laird may be reached at ​[email protected]