Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Morris.
Maria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Therapy Resource Group’s story begins with its founder, Nicki Gaskins. While working in victim services, Nicki recognized a critical gap: families were not receiving the affordable, ongoing support they needed after trauma. In July 2021, she opened the doors of Therapy Resource Group (TRG), a nonprofit dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable mental health services for individuals and families impacted by trauma.
My own journey with TRG began that same year when I joined as an intern. I quickly found my passion in serving the entire family system; offering education, support, and a place to stay connected within the community while utilizing my gifting in teaching. After completing my internship, I was hired as a full-time clinician, later became Clinical Director, and in 2025, when Nicki and her family relocated, I stepped into the role of Executive Director.
I am deeply grateful to lead an organization that allows me to combine all of my passions while giving back to the community. Today, I have the honor of leading a team driven by the same commitment – ensuring that high-quality mental health services remain accessible and affordable so that every person seeking healing has the opportunity to achieve it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not a smooth road. Like many nonprofits, our biggest ongoing challenge is funding. We rely heavily on donors, volunteers and grants in order to extend our reach to individuals and families who have limited financial resources but still desire services.
What makes TRG unique is the way we bridge that gap. Our Starboard Counseling Program, provides services on a sliding scale or pro bono basis, depending on income and trauma history. We also operate another arm of the organization in which a portion of all revenue goes directly toward supplementing the cost of care for those who cannot afford services. While this model reflects our mission and values, the reality is that even with the number of clients we serve, it is still not enough to cover the true need in our community.
To fulfill our calling, we must continuously fundraise, engage the community, and depend on generous donors who believe in the importance of accessible trauma-informed mental health services. It is hard work, but it is work worth doing. For perspective, last year our team provided over 2,500 reduced cost sessions totaling over $220,000.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Therapy Resource Group, we specialize in providing trauma-informed mental health services for individuals and families who may not otherwise have access to care. Our mission has always been rooted in high-quality, accessible care, especially for those walking through the impact of trauma. We are known for serving the entire family system and for creating a treatment environment that is both clinically sound and relationally safe. This can look like play therapy, creative arts, sandtray, or family therapy, group therapy, marriage counseling, and of course the use of trauma modalities like TF-CBT, EMDR and Brainspotting.
Personally, I am a mom, a clinician, and a long-time nonprofit advocate. Alongside my role as Executive Director at TRG, I also founded a homeschooling academic group in the Charlotte metro area and serve on the board of a nonprofit focused on supporting student athletes as they transition out of their sport and discover purpose beyond the game. Advocacy, education, and community-building are threads that run through everything I do (and everything that our team does).
What sets us apart at TRG is our unwavering commitment to accessibility without compromising quality. What I am most proud of is our team’s consistent posture of service. We do this because people deserve to heal, regardless of their financial circumstances. The team operates through the lens of excellence, authenticity, hope and safety – understanding that everything is interconnected. We truly believe that when one family member heals it has a ripple effect to others within the family system, it then ripples into the schools and into our communities.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising that most people don’t know about me is that I am genuinely introverted (like, poster-child level introverted), yet somehow every role I’ve held has put me front and center. It’s both terrifying and also the clearest reminder to me that purpose doesn’t always line up with our comfort zones. This work is not only purposed but also deeply personal. The Carolinas are home, specifically we have been in the Fort Mill area for over 80 years. When purpose and personal come together and is met with a team that feels the same, it creates a genuine concern for the greater good and that is what TRG is all about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therapyresourcegroup.org
- Instagram: @therapyresourcegroup
