Looks like you have JavaScript disabled. For the full Twine experience, you will need to re-enable it.

I am a compassionate, versatile counselor with proven teaching and writing skills. My approach is strengths-oriented and trauma-informed, drawing on experience across hospital, private practice, agency, and college settings. I thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy helping clients and students grow through thoughtful, evidence-based practices. I am passionate about clear, effective communication, mind–body connection, and therapeutic engagement with nature, art, music, and writing. I focus on post-traumatic growth, positive psychology applications, and burnout prevention, while continually seeking opportunities to mentor others and translate complex concepts into accessible teaching and writing.…I am a compassionate, versatile counselor with proven teaching and writing skills. My approach is strengths-oriented and trauma-informed, drawing on experience across hospital, private practice, agency, and college settings. I thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy helping clients and students grow through thoughtful, evidence-based practices. I am passionate about clear, effective communication, mind–body connection, and therapeutic engagement with nature, art, music, and writing. I focus on post-traumatic growth, positive psychology applications, and burnout prevention, while continually seeking opportunities to mentor others and translate complex concepts into accessible teaching and writing.

Maria Shine Stewart

Writer, Content Creator, Video Editor, +3





I am a compassionate, versatile counselor with proven teaching and writing skills. My approach is strengths-oriented and trauma-informed, drawing on experience across hospital, private practice, agency, and college settings. I thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy helping clients and students grow through thoughtful, evidence-based practices. I am passionate about clear, effective communication, mind–body connection, and therapeutic engagement with nature, art, music, and writing. I focus on post-traumatic growth, positive psychology applications, and burnout prevention, while continually seeking opportunities to mentor others and translate complex concepts into accessible teaching and writing.…I am a compassionate, versatile counselor with proven teaching and writing skills. My approach is strengths-oriented and trauma-informed, drawing on experience across hospital, private practice, agency, and college settings. I thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy helping clients and students grow through thoughtful, evidence-based practices. I am passionate about clear, effective communication, mind–body connection, and therapeutic engagement with nature, art, music, and writing. I focus on post-traumatic growth, positive psychology applications, and burnout prevention, while continually seeking opportunities to mentor others and translate complex concepts into accessible teaching and writing.

Available to hire

I am a compassionate, versatile counselor with proven teaching and writing skills. My approach is strengths-oriented and trauma-informed, drawing on experience across hospital, private practice, agency, and college settings. I thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy helping clients and students grow through thoughtful, evidence-based practices.

I am passionate about clear, effective communication, mind–body connection, and therapeutic engagement with nature, art, music, and writing. I focus on post-traumatic growth, positive psychology applications, and burnout prevention, while continually seeking opportunities to mentor others and translate complex concepts into accessible teaching and writing.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

German

Intermediate

Work Experience

Counseling Supervisor Therapist/Counselor at Jewish Family Service Association, Achieving Potential Division

November 1, 2020 - Present

Serving clients of diverse backgrounds, ages, and concerns; providing face-to-face, phone, and telehealth services; conducting assessments; creating treatment plans; providing therapy; attending team meetings; completing prompt documentation.

Owner/Counselor at Shine Brighter Writing and Counseling, LLC

January 1, 2014 - Present

Private practice counseling for adjustment support, couples concerns, career change, and anxiety; on-call PRN Counselor.

Mental Health Counselor / Program Floater at Windsor-Laurelwood Center for Behavioral Health

June 1, 2015 - January 1, 2018

Taught mental health lectures and psychoeducation to promote recovery and wellness of clients with dual diagnoses in Partial Hospitalization Program; also floater in Intensive Outpatient Program.

Intern / Practicum Counselor at Louis Stokes VA Medical Center; Notre Dame College Student Counseling Center; Cleveland Clinic Lifestyle EAP; Hope Counseling; Community Assessment and Treatment Services; Private Practice

September 1, 2012 - July 1, 2013

Summer 2012–Fall 2013: Served in both individual and group counseling with poly-substance addiction/dependence, traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, mindfulness, wellness, and private practice experience.

Job Coach at Jewish Family Service Association

January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Assisted and assessed clients in the workplace for work readiness; one-to-one coaching; collaboration with JFS Employment Services to support client adjustment.

Instructor / English (Adjunct) at Lakeland Community College

January 1, 2019 - Present

Taught composition on-ground, hybrid, and online.

Adjunct / English Instructor at Cuyahoga Community College

September 1, 1993 - December 31, 2023

Fall 1993–December 2023: Motivating, facilitating, and evaluating nontraditional writing students; taught EN 0990, EN 1010, EN 1020; Bridge course.

Columnist at Cleveland.com and Sun Messenger

December 1, 2013 - Present

Wrote weekly online and print column about community accomplishments in the Hillcrest area.

Mock Interviewer at Cleveland State University, Office of Career Services

September 1, 2018 - Present

Coached mock interviews for students; supported job-search readiness.