Maria Hess – Founder

In 2012, Maria Hess, Ph.D., MFT, had a vision to create a training program to address the critical need for culturally proficient therapists. Together with Latina co-founders Claudia Cendejas, MS, and Cecilia Perez, MS, LMFT, they began recruiting MFT trainees for their bilingual/bicultural program. Maria Hess spent 33 years in the Psychology Department at Sonoma State University and has had a lifelong enthusiasm for teaching, advising, and contributing with clinical offerings in the community.

In 2013, HTES became a 501(c)3 nonprofit and counselors began providing services at Santa Rosa City Schools. Today, Humanidad’s training and counseling program has expanded, and is recognized by the Office of Health Equity, CDPH. 

Mission Statement

Humanidad’s mission is to strengthen the lives of the Latinx community by increasing access and utilization of community mental health resources. We transcend barriers and reduce stigma by providing culturally proficient therapist training, inclusive community education, and bilingual therapy services.

Vision Statement

We envision healthy and thriving communities where the stigma associated with mental health does not exist and all have access to quality and compassionate culturally sensitive therapy services.

Core Values

Compassion – We serve our community with commitment and dedication. 

Culture – We respect and honor all cultures.

Integrity – We take great pride in providing high quality services.

Heart-Driven – We do the work because we love the work.

HTES strongly condemns discrimination and violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community. Humanidad can’t be silent in the face of the racism and discrimination suffered by so many people in our country and in our own communities. it is critical that we uphold the inclusion, safety, and sense of belonging of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. To achieve this, we must all come together and commit to being part of the solution. We must commit to having tough conversations about racism and discrimination in our county.

HTES condena enérgicamente la discriminación y la violencia contra la comunidad asiáticoamericana e isleña del Pacífico (AAPI). Humanidad no puede callar ante el racismo y la discriminación que sufren tantas personas en nuestras propias comunidades. Es fundamental que defendamos la inclusión, la seguridad y el sentido de pertenencia de todas las razas, orígenes nacionales y etnias. Para lograrlo, todos debemos unirnos y comprometernos a ser parte de la solución. Debemos comprometernos a tener colaboraciones conscientes y sistematicas para abolir el racismo y la discriminación en nuestro entorno.