Welcome to Well Acquainted … a weekly series dedicated to the amazing clinicians at Well Clinic
This week, we’re featuring a Q&A session with Maya Johansson, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and CEO of Well Clinic.
Where did you grow up?
In a small rural town
What is your favorite part about your work?
Getting to borrow so much wisdom from my clients. It is such a privilege to have close and meaningful relationships with those I work with.
What is your favorite thing about San Francisco?
Living among so many different kinds of people. I love being able to meet and share a home city with folks who are so different and similar to me at the same time. It feels like a very welcoming place, if I don’t get caught up in the madness.
What is your favorite place you’ve ever been?
I have so many favorites, but for the sake of picking something I’ll say Big Sur.
Name five things that are on your bucket list?
- Taking voice lessons and attempting to sing
- Volunteering for a few months somewhere I can be useful
- Seeing the Northern Lights
- Living on a working farm
- Learning a non-western language
What causes are you most passionate about?
Promoting mental health for all, and protecting our planet/ fighting climate change.
What was your former career?
I’ve always been in the mental health field. I was a case manager/social worker for homeless and underserved youth before opening Well Clinic.
Do you have any talents that few people know about? If so, what are they?
I can raise each eyebrow by itself.
When are you at your most creative?
When I’m outside in some capacity — gardening, riding my bike, hiking …
Name one guilty pleasure, past or present.
Watching too much Netflix. Not very original.
Describe one of the first jobs you ever had.
Working at a fast food restaurant as a french fry salter.
What’s one fun thing that you wish you could do more of?
Get out of the city to hike and swim.
What made you want to become a mental health practitioner?
I was aware of how meaningful it is to be listened to in a deep way. I really enjoy people and relationships and it became clear to me that doing therapy was a way to effect positive change that matched with my ability to be with people through intense emotions and not get overwhelmed.
Learn more about Maya’s professional background as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) at Well Clinic.
