"I had been stuck in my career for years.  I had an idea of what I wanted to do and even how best to get it done but somehow taking the practical steps eluded me. I just couldn't move forward and I was miserable. After meeting with Maia Akiva all that changed and more! She took me through a creative exercise that allowed me to uncover what was keeping me stuck.  It wasn't what I expected. From that point on I was able to make a shift that affected not only my career but every area of my life including my health. I suffered from high-blood pressure and was on medication. Not any more. I was depressed.  Not any more. Working with Maia unleashed a truth that I was able to accept, adjust for and have since been more joyful than I can ever remember being. I wish this kind of peace, optimism, health and forward movement for everyone and as such I can't recommend Maia highly enough!"
~Sarah P.


"I want to be  happy, joyous, and free so I decided to attend the Desire map workshop Maia was teaching. But I had a lot of resistance to go and wanted to cancel.  I cried the day before and during the event.  My experience was amazing when with Maia help I worked through that and get to my desired feelings.  The entire process was very special and insightful and I think I grew a lot as a human."
~Joele Hodgson, Teacher


"I was looking for a new way of looking at persistent challenges and obstacles, in hopes of finding a different momentum this year. Both Maia Akiva and the Desire Map were revelations for me.  I thought I had a lot of tools to call on to make some positive changes, but I didn't have anything that connected me to the way I felt, or wanted to feel.  Maia is a perfect guide to lead me to this new way of thinking.  She was able to push and pull, confront gently and provoke powerfully toward greater insights than I was able to get to before.  She shared from her own heart and that created a safe and comfortable space so I could do the same.  Thank you, Maia, for what feels like the first of many breakthroughs, and the beginning of a shift toward profound happiness.
I thought the Desire Map would be too hard, too cumbersome, to really be useful to me on a daily basis.  However, Maia was able to help me articulate core desired feelings that resonate with me and how my life is today.  Now those feelings seem like beacons, lighting the way to how I ultimately want to live and feel.  It\'s all within me already, and that feels powerful.  The process of the Desire Map is versatile and, with a talented and compassionate guide like Maia, it was accessible and fit me right away.
I would recommend that anyone looking to go deeper work with Maia Akiva.  Even if you\'re afraid of what you may find, she will guide you to a Desire Map that feels powerful, instantly useful, and true to who you are.
The experience was such a refreshing dialogue for me and very timely.  Thanks for  being patient with the questions I had.  This morning I was thinking about authenticity and fun and it made me smile.  Thanks again." 
~Allison Deegan, Ed.D.
WriteGirl Associate Director. 


"Maia was great in helping our group get in touch with their core desired feelings. I was really happy to attend this event with Maia as the group leader. I was surprised that my core desired feelings were very different from the ones I started off with. Maia was great at helping me identify them. Maia was a great coach and I hope she does more of these workshops."
~Beverly R.


"Maia's workshop helped me become aware of the various battling and blaming voices within me which argued over my productivity level. I could finally see how exhausting it has been subjecting myself to these contentious internal dialogues for all these years. Maia offered invaluable insights, tools and support to help me accept and be kinder to all parts of myself. As I become more skilled at speaking to myself in more generative and constructive ways, I am certain it will manifest in more creative productivity and even improve my relationships and communication with others.  Thank you, Maia!"
~Robin Streichler, M.A.
Writer and Certified Coach


"Maia's workshop was not what I expected it was so much more, it wasn't just a workshop of handouts but to go within to identify what emotions, beliefs, fears, etc you're holding onto that are causing the block(s).  The workshop is worth so much more than the fee. Best 3 hours of learning I've had in a long time! The workshop opened my eyes to some of issues blocking my creative process. Maia Akiva is a great teacher & facilitator."
~marsena abella @awomansavenue 


"Maia has this way of getting to the heart of what really causes blocks. I had the privilege of taking her “Make Peace with Your Writer’s Block” workshop at The Junction, and it was incredibly powerful and inspiring to witness her working one-on-one with each person and helping them dig deep into that place of pain that keeps them from the page. In just a few hours, I learned so much about myself, how I really feel, what I need to work on, and how to deal with and channel my feelings so that I can get back to actually doing what I love doing most-- writing. Taking a workshop with Maia is a truly life-changing opportunity that you need to experience for yourself. Thanks so much, Maia!"
~Jacqui Fauni, Program Coordinator at The Writers Junction


"Maia leads an illuminating and often surprising workshop that unmasks the culprits of blocks. Her disarming demeanor helps dismantle the walls obstructing creativity and provides the necessary tools for identifying the distractions and resistance standing in the way of artistic work.  She empowers with awareness and creates a safe and supportive environment where everyone learns from themselves and each other. Would highly recommend any writer taking Maia’s workshop because a better understanding of oneself will foster the crafting of more authentic characters on the page."
~Brian Gary


"I thought I was going to a nuts and bolts, think about writer's block in new, more empowering ways, class -- and instead it was a gentle, yet relentless, excavation of what's going on internally, that's creating the blocks externally.  <<< ASS KICKED >>>
In best possible way.
More is now available. { thank you, Maia Akiva }"
~Wendy L. Yost


"Thanks so much for today Workshop, Maia!  It was truly wonderful. I'm not surprised it was so great, but also amazed and inspired."
~Eileen Gibson Funke, Co-Owner The Writers Junction


"With Maia's gift of insight, she led me to identify and home in on my internal creative blockage. I look forward to seeing her expand her work - a lot of people are going to benefit."
~Caroline Stack, Actor/Writer


"Maia Akiva will pierce your heart with her double-edged sword of clarity and kindness. 
The next day, you'll break up with your psychotherapist."
~Laurie Hazel Davis


"Maia does a very good job of accessing very personal parts of herself and expressing that in her writing. She is an original thinker. The combination of the two seem to define her voice."
~Sarah Jenkins, director/actress


“Maia takes the mystery out of writer's block.  She lets you see that it's not such a big, terrible deal and gives you the tools to open the channels back up.  She teaches us writers how to stop torturing ourselves -- what could be better than that?”
~Jane Anderson, writer (Mad Men, Olive Kitteridge).


"I found the experience of Maia's writing to be extremely rewarding. I related to the material right away because of Maia's ability to express fears and worries that we all have in a very simple and honest way. She also has a great imagination."
~Jessica Knutson, actress


"I deeply relate to, and am profoundly moved by, this writing. I am a counselor by day, and the words spoken by Maia's writings are the words of a wise sage designed to profoundly enlighten the witness (only in a funny and VERY entertaining way). Maia, you are a cool cat and I am blessed to have your words rolling around in me. Thank you for the master piece!"
~Jane Fendelman


“Maia got us honest with ourselves in a playful way. We each went through true emotional journeys to get in touch with our block, but we laughed the whole time. Maia gives us the power of honesty, and the gift of progress.”
~Melanie Zoey, writer/director (Why I Dance)


“Maia's warm and genuine style - both on the stage and off - is endearing and inspirational. I've had the opportunity to work with Maia at WriteGirl, a non-profit mentoring organization for Los Angeles teens. Maia's creative writing prompts are fueled by her insights into the creative process and her own writing experience - and she never fails to create break-through activities.  She has delivered writing workshops in poetry, playwriting, and fiction for as many as 100 attendees, and she's been an MC and co-MC for several WriteGirl events, including our annual Gala performance held at the Writer's Guild in Beverly Hills.”
~Kirsten Giles
WriteGirl Workshops Coordinator.


“Maia Akiva is an inspiring and engaging writer, workshop developer and leader.  She cares deeply about great writing and has a real talent for supporting writers of all skill levels and genres to tap into their pure creativity.  Maia's dedication to youth work, her quick and inclusive wit as an event host, and her provocative theater pieces all speak to her versatility.  She is among my favorite writers and favorite people.”
~Allison Deegan, Ed.D.
WriteGirl Associate Director.