LMFT, 16 years of experience
No matter how hard we try in life, inevitably we come across unpredictable waters. Sometimes riding the waves of life can be delightful and sometimes it can be soul crushing. Thus, I seek to help high functioning adults and adolescents to "embrace uncertainty and live joyfully through the process." I hope to energize and empower you to become the best version of yourself, especially during times of adversity. I work with you to evaluate your life goals and to gain insight and clarity about factors that might influence your success. I personally have experienced the power of having someone offer support in both the good and bad times of uncertainty, and it would be an absolute honor to support you as you navigate your life!
I understand that many people might feel a little nervous during their first session. Thus, I do my best to make you feel comfortable. After I introduce myself and briefly go over basic housekeeping practices, I attempt to collaborate with you about what you would like to gain out of therapy. Together we identify goals that meet your needs that will hopefully be both therapeutic and empower you.
My personality typically comes across as bubbly and energetic. I naturally smile a lot. I also believe that laughter can be used therapeutically to reduce cortisol levels, and when appropriate I do incorporate it into sessions. Clients that tend to gravitate towards me typically are either individuals who 1) encounter anxiety 2) are navigating life changes or 3) are dealing with family or relationship concerns. I also have notable experience dealing with individuals that have been impacted by cancer, that identify as lgbtqia+, immigrants, and first generation Americans. I hope you will schedule an introductory meeting with me via the grow therapy platform. There we can address any further questions or concerns you may have.
Anxiety Family Issues Interpersonal issues Women Individuals Impacted by Cancer Immigrants First Generation Americans LGBTQIA+ (Queer) Vocational Counseling Spirituality
3 ratings with written reviews
June 2, 2025
Monica is a master listener and always helps me to understand things I’m saying and feeling. She’s a great discussion partner, and I trust her wholeheartedly.
March 25, 2025
Monica is a GREAT listener, and provides keen and helpful insights that really help me unpack issues.
March 16, 2025
Wish I could select all of the positive attributes. Monica is warm, authentic, direct, funny, smart, appropriately challenging and intelligent. I feel very fortunate to be working with her.
I have been using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques as a foundational practice pretty much since I started my mental health career back in 2006. I firmly believe that what and how we think can greatly impact our psychological well being.
Above all else in my therapeutic practice, I want you to feel seen, known, and understood. I want you to feel that you are a person of worth and that you can feel safe expressing your thoughts. This is, my opinion, why the Rogerian method is so powerful.
My training as a LMFT has equipped me to always think about an individual in the broader context of how they interact with others...especially in the context of a family system. While we are ultimately accountable for our own actions, I think at times it helps us to process how and why our lives are impacted by others so we can live more empowered lives in the future.
In my graduate school training, I learned that the neurological impact of one "negative" statement/event is equivalent to about 20 "positive" statements/events. Thus, I feel like it is so important to incorporate as much positivity in one's life as possible. One way to do this is by celebrating and highlighting a person's strengths.