Influential Women spotlights Maria Pagan’s somatic wellness work

Influential Women is recognizing West Palm Beach social worker and breathwork practitioner Maria De Los Angeles Pagan for her work blending trauma-informed care, somatic breathwork and mental health support. The profile highlights her clinical background, community leadership and efforts to help clients manage anxiety, burnout, trauma and life transitions.

Why it matters: - Maria De Los Angeles Pagan’s work sits at the intersection of licensed mental health care and somatic wellness. - Her approach reflects a growing focus on mind-body care for people dealing with anxiety, burnout, trauma, major life changes and physical pain. - Her profile also spotlights a broader message for women in mental health and wellness: lead with authenticity, ethics and confidence.

What happened: - Influential Women recognized Maria Pagan, a West Palm Beach, Florida-based Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Somatic Breathwork Coach and Practitioner. - Pagan founded Somatic and Mental Wellness Co. in South Florida. - The profile was published on November 3, 2026. - Pagan also serves as a Senior Primary Therapist at a private practice.

The details: - Pagan’s clinical work includes partial hospitalization and outpatient levels of care. - Her therapeutic toolkit includes DBT, CBT, REBT and Narrative Therapy. - Pagan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. - She completed a Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work at Florida Atlantic University through its Jumpstart program. - Pagan is the first person on her mother’s side of the family to earn a master’s degree. - Before entering clinical social work, Pagan worked as a dance instructor, cheer coach, student aide at a children’s research facility and nanny during the COVID-19 pandemic. - She later became a Registered Behavior Technician delivering ABA therapy to children with autism spectrum disorder. - Pagan was named Rookie of the Year in 2023 and Employee of the Month in October 2024. - Through Somatic and Mental Wellness Co., Pagan offers breathwork and embodiment-based resources aimed at helping clients reconnect with their nervous systems and release stored trauma and stress. - Pagan serves as Vice President of Beca Estudiantil Maria Mercedes Pagan, a scholarship initiative supporting students. - She also volunteered with the spirit team at Florida Atlantic University as a Spirit Volunteer.

Between the lines: - Pagan’s path moved from dance and youth work into behavioral health, then into licensed clinical practice and wellness entrepreneurship. - Her story shows how personal experience, professional training and community ties can shape a hybrid care model. - The profile frames somatic breathwork as a complement to clinical care, while Pagan stresses ethical boundaries between her roles. - The emphasis on women “taking up space” points to the pressure many women feel to downplay expertise in mental health and wellness fields.

What's next: - Pagan is continuing to build her practice around trauma-informed care, somatic breathwork and community service. - She is also positioning her work around mentorship, student support and women’s leadership in wellness. - More information is available through Maria Pagan’s Influential Women profile and Somatic and Mental Wellness Co..

The bottom line: - Maria Pagan’s recognition highlights a growing model of care that blends clinical therapy, body-based healing and community leadership.