Maria Escalona, LCSW

Maria Escalona, LCSW, is a bilingual clinical social worker and Clinical Supervisor at Charlie Health, where she provides leadership, supervision, and direct therapeutic support in our virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). She oversees clinical teams while continuing to deliver evidence-based individual, family, and group therapy to adolescents navigating complex mental health challenges. Maria holds advanced training in motivational interviewing (MI), eye movement desensitization & reprocessing (EMDR), and emotional freedom technique (EFT).

Before stepping into her supervisory role, Maria served as a Primary Therapist at Charlie Health, guiding clients through an 8-12-week program with a focus on evidence-based interventions. Prior to Charlie Health, she worked as a Licensed Social Worker at New York-Presbyterian’s School-Based Health Center, providing psychotherapy, crisis assessments, and case management while leading group counseling sessions focused on identity development, life skills, and social-emotional learning. Maria also developed school-wide mental health initiatives and workshops to foster a supportive academic environment. Maria earned her Master of Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, specializing in community organizing and youth development.