By Sadie Coburn
At the San Diego Center for Children, healing often begins with one steady, caring presence. For Mariah, a family therapist with the Center’s FFAST (Foster Family Agency Stabilization and Treatment) Program, that presence is a cornerstone of her work with foster youth and their caregivers.
Mariah specializes in early childhood therapy, working primarily with children ages 0-5. “I’m really big on early and preventive work,” she shares. “Kids develop so rapidly during those years, especially when they’ve experienced trauma. Being able to intervene early can make a lasting difference, not just for them, but for their caregivers too.”
That belief was deeply reflected in her work with one child, who first entered the foster system a little over the age of two. From the very beginning, Mariah was there.
“I met him probably a week after he entered placement,” she recalls. “Even then, I could tell he needed more support, developmentally and emotionally.” What followed was a multi-year journey marked by significant change, growth, and healing.
Despite transitioning between two foster homes, this young boy had the rare opportunity to receive continuity of care, something Mariah emphasizes as vital. “Every time I reconnected with him, his symptoms looked different. As he developed more language and understanding, we were able to work on deeper trauma processing and attachment,” she explains.
That consistency proved essential. Mariah knew him from his very first days in care. His caregivers already trusted her. And that meant the entire team, from his caregivers to his service providers, could work together seamlessly to support his evolving needs.
“Each family supported his needs in different ways,” Mariah shares. “One home helped him learn how to play and be around other children. The other brought a strong trauma-informed approach. My role was to observe, guide, and help caregivers build on what they already knew.” She adds, “It wasn’t about starting from scratch; it was about noticing what was working, offering new tools, and building confidence.”
Recently, Mariah officially discharged the child, who has since been adopted and is now thriving, after he successfully met all of his therapeutic goals. “It’s truly amazing to see what early intervention can do. These kids are incredibly resilient,” she reflects. “I was honored to be a small part of his story.”
Mariah’s work embodies the Center’s mission: to help every child shine by nurturing their strength, supporting their caregivers, and building a circle of care around their healing. And while each child’s journey is unique, the foundation of that work remains the same: collaboration, compassion, and the belief that healing is always possible.
“We’re not just supporting kids, we’re supporting families,” she adds. “That means foster parents, biological parents, everyone involved. When we come together with empathy and purpose, we can create powerful change in a child’s life.”