My Story

Hello. I am Marie Altavilla, and I am completing my counseling internship at Roots & Resilience Wellness working with children, teens, and adults on an array of mental health conditions. I am thrilled to transition from a long-time elementary school teacher and military spouse into the mental health field. For over twenty-five years, I taught kindergarten through grade eight students across our great country and volunteered with soldiers and Army families at each stop along the way.

As a teacher, my goal was always to teach the minds and touch the hearts of each of my students. Over the years, it was incredibly rewarding to work with many young people and their families. I learned as much from them as they did from me, and my time as an educator was more personally and professionally fulfilling than I ever originally dreamed it would be.

I will always have a teacher’s heart, but now I feel called to work with children, adults, and families in a way that will socially and emotionally equip them for their futures. As I understood more about learning differences, the struggles that some families faced after the pandemic, and the need for people to be heard in the noise of our world, I was drawn to work with people on a more individual level.

As a counselor, I aim to be a listening and understanding ear, allowing clients to be heard and understood in a safe place and apart from distractions. By affirming my clients' feelings in their struggles and joys of life, I hope to help bring peace, guidance, and empathy to those who cross my path.

B.S. Elementary Education St. Bonaventure University, M.Ed. Chaminade University of Honolulu, MSEd (‘25) St. Bonaventure University, Army Family Team Building Certified, NAEYC, ACA, and APT Member.