Mariana K. Falconier

Mariana K. Falconier is a Professor in the Department of Family Science at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Director of the Couple and Family Therapy Master's Program. She holds a PhD and MS in Family Studies from the University of Maryland, alongside a Licentiate in Psychology from the University of Buenos Aires. Her work integrates clinical practice with research on couple dynamics under chronic stress, particularly focusing on economic, immigration, medical, and minority stressors among marginalized groups such as low-income, Latine, and LGBTQ+ populations.

Educations:

• PhD in Family Studies, University of Maryland, College Park (2005)
• Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), University of Maryland, College Park (2002)
• Licentiate in Psychology (equivalent to MA Psychology), University of Buenos Aires (1992)

Research Interests: Dr. Falconier’s work centers on dyadic coping mechanisms, economic and immigration-related stress mitigation, and culturally adapted interventions for underserved populations. She has developed the evidence-based TOGETHER/JUNTOS en PAREJA program, which integrates relationship and financial education, funded over $11 million federally and adapted for Latine immigrant and LGBTQ+ couples. Her research emphasizes emotional co-regulation, intersectional stress frameworks, and program evaluation methodologies.

Grants & Awards: Recipient of the National Council for Family Relations’ Excellence in Professional/Clinical Practice Award and the George F. Kramer Practitioner of the Year Award. Over $11 million in federal grants have supported her program development and evaluation efforts.

Teaching & Leadership: Taught nationally and globally in multicultural MFT, couple therapy, and post-modern approaches. Directed the Virginia Tech Center for Family Services (2008-2016) and the MFT Master’s Program (2017-2018). Currently teaches courses on gender/ethnicity in family services, couple therapy, and clinical supervision.

International Impact: Collaborations in Switzerland, Romania, Italy, Hungary, Pakistan, and Chile. Presented at the Vatican City on family stress and coping for Pope Francis and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Editor of Couples Coping with Stress: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (2016) and co-author of Treatment Plans and Interventions in Couple Therapy (2024).

Labs & Teams: Active in the Center for Healthy Families and the Department of Family Science’s interdisciplinary initiatives.