Maring Higa, AMFT

💛 Lived Experience Shapes the Way I Work

I know what it’s like to raise a child who doesn’t fit the mold.

My son is autistic—and parenting him has changed my life.

I’ve felt the gut-punch of judgmental stares during a public meltdown, the overwhelming pressure of IEP meetings, the sleepless nights worrying if I’m doing enough, and the joy of watching him thrive in his own way.

Parenting a neurodivergent child brings out your fiercest love and your deepest doubts.

It stretches your capacity and exposes your limits. It also invites you into a new way of seeing the world—through your child’s eyes.

This journey isn’t one I’ve just studied—it’s one I live every single day. I’m not here to fix your child.

I’m here to support you, the parent, because when you feel more grounded, more informed, and more connected, everything changes.

🌱 Support for the Parenting Journey

Being a parent of an autistic child often means carrying more—more emotional labor, more decision-making, more worry, more advocacy. And for many of us, it means parenting without a map.

Whether you’re navigating a new diagnosis, feeling overwhelmed by your child’s sensory needs, struggling with school systems, or just trying to get through the day without losing your cool—you are not alone.

I work with parents to:

Make sense of their child’s behaviors through a neurodivergent lens
Develop practical, compassionate parenting strategies
Reduce shame and self-blame
Strengthen emotional co-regulation skills
Navigate systems like school, medical providers, and family expectations
Reconnect to their own identity outside of parenting

My work is grounded in both lived experience and clinical training. And I bring a deep respect for your intuition—you know your child better than anyone.

🧠 Late Diagnosed, Still Learning

I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, and suddenly, so many things clicked—why I struggled in school, why parenting sometimes overwhelmed me in ways others didn’t seem to understand, why certain tasks felt impossible even when I wanted to do them.

This has made me even more compassionate toward parents who are discovering their own neurodivergence as they support their kids.

If that’s part of your story, we can talk about that too. There’s room here for your growth and healing.

🌿 Healing Through the Body

Before I became a therapist, I spent 17 years practicing acupuncture and bodywork. I’ve also trained extensively in somatic therapy and bioenergetic healing.

Many parents I work with feel depleted, disconnected, or like they’re operating in constant survival mode.

I help you return to your body—not as another thing to manage, but as a source of regulation, strength, and insight. We use breathwork, movement, grounding, and nervous system tools to support your emotional well-being as a parent.

My embodied approach includes:

Acupuncture and holistic medicine
Somatic tracking and body awareness
Bioenergetic release for stuck emotions
Support for postpartum transitions and burnout recovery

Practical tools to calm your nervous system in parenting chaos

Education & Clinical Training

M.A. in Counseling Psychology (Marriage and Family Therapy) – National University
M.S. in Oriental Medicine – Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
Certified Bioenergetics Therapist – Southern California Institute of Bioenergetics (in progress)
Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #145980
Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452

Trained in:

Somatic Therapy & Nervous System Regulation
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Trauma-Informed Parenting and Couples Work
Fertility, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Mental Health
Women’s Health & Holistic Medicine
Acupuncture and Embodiment Practices

🤝 You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Parenting an autistic child is beautiful and brutally hard.

Whether you’re feeling lost, burned out, or just need someone who gets it, I’m here to walk alongside you.

Let’s find your footing—so you can show up for your child and for yourself with strength, compassion, and confidence.