Dr. Maxwell Maris
Dr. Maxwell Maris provides individual therapy (in-person and telehealth) and facilitates men’s process groups. He specializes in depression, mood regulation, trauma, and addictive behaviors, and has extensive experience supporting veterans, athletes, adults, and young adults (ages 18-25) navigating the challenges of modern life.
Therapeutic Approach
Dr. Maris believes that effective therapy is a partnership. He focuses on building a strong, collaborative rapport to help clients cultivate Presence and the Courage needed to address difficult patterns. By highlighting the habits of avoidance that often act as barriers to change, he works with his clients to turn insight into Action, moving beyond symptom management toward a life of genuine Integrity and Purpose.
Psychotherapeutic Modalities
Dr. Maris utilizes a strength-based approach rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Positive Psychology. He integrates evidence-based strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and behavioral exposure therapy. This tactical blend of modalities allows him to provide a customized roadmap for clients looking to improve their mental resilience and overall quality of life.
Background & Research
Dr. Maris’s focus on men’s issues began during his career as a United States Navy Diver. Having completed three deployments, he gained a firsthand understanding of the pressures inherent in hyper-masculine cultures and the complexities of transitioning back to civilian life. This experience motivated him to pursue his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego.
His doctoral research explored the roles of resilience and social support in military readjustment, findings he applies today when helping clients navigate life transitions, postpartum challenges, and men’s health concerns. His clinical background and training spans crisis centers, community mental health, and psychiatric hospitals, giving him a deep well of experience in treating substance use and complex psychological concerns.
Beyond the Office
Outside of his practice, Maxwell is usually kept busy by his infant daughter. When he finds a spare moment, he is an amateur cook, an avid comic book collector, a gamer, and a perpetually aspiring golfer.
Why Copperhead?
The name Copperhead is a nod to my roots, it was the name of my first dive locker during my time in the Navy. While my military service was a formative chapter that enriched my values of resilience and discipline, it was also the catalyst for my journey into psychology. It gave me a unique perspective on the pressures of high-stakes environments and the importance of having a solid internal compass when life gets chaotic.
I founded Copperhead Therapy Group to bridge the gap between that lived experience and evidence-based mental health care. My background allows me to understand the "grit" many of my clients carry, but my approach is firmly rooted in the science of how we change, heal, and find meaning. I’m here to help you take the strengths you already possess, refine them into a clearer and more intentional way of living, and direct them toward a life that actually feels worth the effort.
