Dr. Michael DeMaria is a practicing clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience in helping guide  others on their life journeys. He has published and presented numerous papers on the role creativity and spirituality play in the healing process nationally and internationally. He is the author of Horns and Halos (Peter Lang, 1992) and Ever Flowing On (Terra Nova, 2001). His passion for philosophy and psychology started at a young age having graduated with degrees in both as he turned 20, while also achieving the outstanding student award the same year in the department of philosophy, art and religious studies. He then became the youngest recipient of a Ph.D. in the clinical psychology program at Duquesne University, where he studied in the graduate programs in psychology, philosophy and The Institute of Formative Spirituality.

For the first decade of his professional life he devoted himself to working with abused children and their families.  His unique and effective approach to working with well over 2000 cases of child abuse and neglect resulted in him being appointed to the Governor's State Legislative Task Force on child abuse and neglect and testifying as an expert in clinical psychology in over a hundred cases in criminal, civil and family court.  He is a diplomat in Expressive Therapy and a Registered Play Therapist - Supervisor.  As a University Professor he has been teaching and training graduate students in psychotherapy for the past 20 years.  He has also trained post-graduate students in play therapy and expressive arts therapy for many years.  He has served as the clinical director of a variety of programs and trained hundreds of professionals and para-professionals from parents to judges in communicating with children and teens in creative and effective ways.

After decades of work with extremely severe cases of child abuse and neglect Michael became profoundly aware of how in less severe forms most all adults in our culture suffer from an essential alienation from our 'vital connection' we had as children that is essential for us to maneuver through the difficult passages of life and connect with others.  (See chapter 1 of Ever Flowing On)   This has led Michael to specialize and limit his practice  to working with adults in transition.  One of his greatest joys now is weaving his love of nature, creativity and spirituality into accessible and effective healing practices - particularly involving journaling, meditation, and the expressive arts. This work has resulted in the founding of ONTOS and the book Ever Flowing On and the CD The River. He is a member of Spiritual Directors International and The Wilderness Guides Council. He is also a certified Wilderness First Responder.