(she/her)
If you're dealing with depression or anxiety, or situations in your life that you're not happy with, first of all, you're not alone. Lots of people are dealing with hard times now, and it's affecting how lots of us feel, work, and engage with our relationships. But you should know that most problems can be dealt with effectively -- sometimes all we need is a little help. I'm good at providing that kind of help. I usually work with clients on core issues, foundations of well-being, like self esteem, codependency, self assertion, and also, how do they do with relationships? What's going on with work? Are there family issues? Issues about self identity? Most of my clients come in feeling very uncertain about what their next steps are, and most often, they tell me that feelings of sadness, or worry, are definitely in their way. I've been helping people heal and grow for over 20 years, and what I hear back from clients is that I'm honest, smart, kind, and that I don't waste their time. The work we do together is not just about soothing and comforting, but also, and more directly about problem solving: if you're unhappy, what do you need in order for that to change? And what are your needs, anyway? Are you even sure of how you need your life to be? I'd like to help you find the answers to those questions. And if you're in a relationship, getting over one, or hoping to find a new one, I do a lot of work with people who are dealing with that, too. I hope I can help you feel better, and get your needs met in life. I'm good at this kind of work, and I hope you'll give me a try.
In our first session, I'll ask you to tell me what's working in your life, and what's not. We need to figure out the existing problems, or any unhappiness that is standing in the way of you living the life that you want. That's pretty much the most important step to take -- you being sure of what you want, and what you don't want, is going to end up being our map for progress and the attainment of your own goals. And that's how we'll proceed from there. I ask a lot of questions. I try to get a good understanding from you about what you need and want. Then I ask questions, and offer insights and possible action plans for how to go about getting those things that you told me you want. And if we come upon emotional things that you need to make sense of and work through, we will definitely do that, in the gentlest and easiest way possible.
I'm honest, kind, and direct. Most of my clients have said that they appreciate how I help them see things clearly, and that they feel really seen and understood by me. I'm here to help, so I won't spend a lot of time just reflecting back to you what you've said. I'll ask questions. I'll provide alternative perspective. I'll give feedback, and ask you if you feel that feedback is accurate --- and if you say it's not, I'll ask you to fill me in on what is. My assessment and analytical skills are very keen. And I'll be using them to help you find your answers, your truth, and your path. Meanwhile, I want you to know that if you're hurting, I can help you move through that pain, with respect and kindness. But I will also work hard to help you find solutions to problems that are preventing you from being at peace with yourself, life, and other people. Comfort is necessary and good, and I have it to share with you, sincerely. But I will also strive to help you find your right path, so that you don't have to hurt in the first place. Life does bring pain. But that doesn't mean we have to keep it, as ongoing suffering. Suffering happens when we are stuck with problems we can't solve, or stuck in relationships that don't work, or careers that wear us out but don't meet our needs. If we find a way to identify and map out ways to work on solving your problems, we have a chance of getting your needs met. And getting our needs met is crucial in order to strongly decrease the chance of suffering. I want you to not be stuck, but rather, to be empowered to find your own answers, and to get your problems solved, get your needs met, and have a happy, fulfilling life.
My clients tell me that I've made a real, strong, true, useful and lasting improvement in their lives --- that I've helped them turn the corner from efforting and struggling to thriving, and de-stressing. If you're tired of things being too hard, with too few rewards, and feeling like things you need are always a bit too far out of reach, please contact me. I'm looking forward to getting to know you, and helping you get what you need as soon as possible.
Narrative
We all have a story in our minds about who we are, what life is supposed to be like, and how other people are supposed to behave. To the degree that we've got a story in there that doesn't work for us, that's the degree of unhappiness or distress that we're going to feel in our everyday lives. I'll work with you to uncover your core beliefs. Find out what you believe to be true about who you are, what you're like, and what you want in your life. We can sort out problems in self esteem, meeting your goals, having healthy relationships --- it's all part of getting what you think is true in line with what is really present in your life. I help people to rewrite their life story in ways that help them figure out what they really want and need -- and how to pursue those goals in effective and fulfilling ways.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT focuses on challenging negative self-talk, and on choosing behaviors that are actionable: you realistically can do them, you've chosen them, and you can set a time-line for accomplishing them one step at a time. I also make use of Narrative Therapy, Solutions-Focused Therapy, and an eclectic mix of all the top theoretical modalities. We'll use any and all that work best for you.
Compassion Focused
Compassionate understanding and validation of you, your experiences, and the context of your life is the foundation for a good therapeutic bond. When we are hurt by life, or by not having what we need from life, we need to be compassionately understood, and receive encouragement and support. Without that, our feelings would not be validated, and we do enough invalidating of our feelings on our own! Therapy is a place to come tell what's happened to us, what we need, what we feel, and what our beliefs are about ourselves, life, and others. Because without the listening, guidance and compassion of someone who really does understand, there would be no healing accomplished, no matter how many times we shared our story. It's the compassionate understanding that makes all the difference.
3 ratings with written reviews
August 17, 2025
I can't figure out why i'm anxious, and Monica is helping me find out. I needed a starting point.
July 9, 2025
Monica is so very intuitive and really understands how to "read" people. She is open, non-judgmental, honest, and warm. The couples therapy sessions are always eye opening for me, and teach me more about myself each time. My husband and I have tried therapy before (both couples and individual) and all I can say is I wish I had Monica to help us through much sooner :)
April 19, 2025
Very honest, straightforward & gave us a realistic/positive outlook on our marriage therapy.