My Work That Matters
Over the past 20 years, I have carried many roles, each one shaping me
as a leader, advocate, and human. But the roles that stand tallest are those
in which I’ve stood beside those whose voices are often unheard.
As a parenting coach inside jails, prisons, and supportive residential communities, I stood beside mothers and fathers, including parents serving life sentences as they worked to nurture and reclaim their bonds with their children and caregivers under the weight of incarceration. It was an honor to speak at the graduation completion ceremonies and witness the emotional reunions between parents and their children. Hearing their speeches was truly moving. However, it was deeply emotional to witness the parents part ways again as they returned to their cells, serving as a reminder of the challenges they continue to face.
As a former therapist associate, I also had the privilege of providing trauma therapy to children, transition-aged youth, men, women experiencing domestic violence, individuals engaged in sex work, and asylum seekers — many of whom have endured profound struggles with substance misuse/addiction, and moments of crisis, including chronic homelessness, suicidal ideation, self-injury, and overdose. And if you're reading this, never judge someone for their pain and depression. You truly don't know what they've been through. And you wonder why the mental illness is there? It's from the trauma, the abuse, and the family members that mistreated them. It's not just "genetics." It's what happened to them. And no matter what, I believe they can still rise.
Leading support groups for children and youth in foster care allowed me to hold space for their stories, their resilience, and their quiet hope. I witnessed courage and resilience in its rawest form, as young people navigated systems that were never built for them. This experience holds a very unique place in my heart as I was a foster care sister for 19 years to youth and young adults with disabilities. I started gaining social worker skills years before I received my MFT degree. My story runs deep in this—it was the stepping stone that led me to my purpose of serving others.
Developing and launching the California Mental Health Services Authority's (CalMHSA) Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program Training (Generalist, 11 modules & Crisis Care, 11 modules) became another sacred part of my work, helping people with lived experience draw from their journeys and wisdom to rise into their power as guides, mentors, and changemakers.
These are just a few of the roles I’ve held. I've developed and launched other training programs and support groups (plus facilitated 300+ trainings & workshops) across the foster youth and behavior health sectors. This became a part of my deeper commitment to creating spaces where people are learning & growing, honored, and empowered to heal and lead in their own lives and the lives of others.
Today, that commitment continues but in a much deeper and spiritual way. I am shifting and growing just like you, and called to be in new spaces outside of my industry.
I’m currently expanding my 1:1 coaching practice and support groups, working with individuals in music and entertainment, entrepreneurs, and high-profile leaders who are navigating burnout & transition, or a need for redirection after being in the spotlight. I'm in the journey myself, so stay tuned for more to come on this site. Thank you so much for being here!
If you’re interested in a potential business partnership or my 1:1 guidance, feel free to contact me.
Mary Jane Almeda, MA, MFT is a behavioral health subject-matter expert, coach, curriculum developer, and professor based in the heart of Los Angeles County. With over 5,000 behavioral health service providers, community members, and leaders trained through 300+ workshops and transformative trainings, Mary Jane has become known for creating immersive, emotionally intelligent spaces with real connection and meaningful growth. Her work stands out for its depth, authenticity, and spiritual grounding, blending the science of human behavior with the art of soulful reflection. Mary Jane brings a thoughtful and intuitive presence to everything she leads—whether facilitating high-level support circles or 1:1 coaching sessions. She meets people where they are, guiding them through transformative processes that restore balance, purpose and self-trust, a rare combination of wisdom, warmth, and unshakable discernment that resonates deeply with those operating at the top of their fields.II offer 1:1 coaching for high-profile individuals who are looking for real support behind the scenes.