Dr. Marya Foley has served on the faculty of the University of Santa Monica since l994. In prior years, she taught two courses in the Counseling Psychology Program - Values, Ethics, and Law and the Third Year Supervised Practicum for professional counselors. Marya also participated in the design and co-facilitation of USM's Program in Consciousness, Health, and Healing, and currently serves as faculty in the Second Year of the Spiritual Psychology Program.

Her academic experience also includes teaching in the History Department as Adjunct Faculty at California State University.  She was a founding member of the faculty of Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she designed and taught the core course, The History and Ontology of Consciousness, and also served as the first Academic Dean.  She also pioneered in the development of Women's Studies Programs as part of several faculties in northern California, focusing on the emergence of the feminine as part of the evolution of consciousness.

Dr. Foley is the former Program Director of The Wellness Community of the South Bay Cities, where she designed and implemented psychosocial programs based on a mind/body approach for cancer patients and their families.  She also supervised the professional staff and directed the intern program.  Other previous positions include two years as the clinical supervisor in a drug treatment program for the Watts Health Foundation and two years as a family therapist for a drug treatment program for teens in northern California.

Dr. Foley has a Doctorate in History from the University of New Mexico.  Her doctoral research focused on the philosophy of soul evolution as envisioned by the mystic, Rudolf Steiner.  She also holds Master's Degrees in Clinical Psychology and Applied Psychology.  Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist, she has a private practice working with individuals, couples, and groups specializing in critical and chronic illness, grief work, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and women's issues.

She is a clinical member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.  She received an award for outstanding service and scholarship from Southwestern College on its 10th anniversary in l989.