Veronica Montoya has experience working with all ages, including adults, young adults, teens/adolescents, and children. She has worked with people in a broad range of areas, including anxiety, depression, substance use, parent-child relationships, self-esteem, decision-making issues, and body image issues. The most important aspect of my work with you will be to build a positive, trusting therapeutic relationship in which we can together work through whatever difficulties you may be facing. Being a therapist is my first career. I studied psychology with a minor in Spanish for my bachelor's degree and have a master's degree in mental health counseling (which led to me becoming a licensed mental health counselor). There are many reasons I am well-suited to be a therapist but to begin, I am nonjudgmental, caring, empathetic, and open. I have worked in a variety of areas, including private practice, residential treatment centers with adults and teens, and specialized therapeutic foster care with children. I have also worked with everyone from infants and toddlers to seniors. These various settings help me take a holistic approach when working with my clients.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Your first session is a welcoming space for you to slow down, breathe, and begin sharing what’s been going on in your life. I know starting therapy can feel vulnerable, so I approach this session with compassion, curiosity, and no judgment. My goal is to help you feel comfortable and understood from the very beginning. We’ll start by talking about what brought you to therapy—whether it’s anxiety, stress, relationship concerns, past experiences, or simply wanting to feel more grounded. I’ll ask thoughtful questions about your current symptoms, emotional patterns, relationships, family background, and any recent stressors that may be influencing how you feel. This helps me get a full picture of your experience, not just the surface-level symptoms. I’ll also invite you to share what has and hasn’t worked for you in the past, any goals you have for yourself, and what you hope to change or better understand. Together, we’ll begin shaping a clear plan for our work—one that feels realistic, supportive, and aligned with what you need. Throughout the session, you can expect a calm pace, reflective questions, and space to express yourself freely. You don’t need to prepare anything or know exactly what to say; I’ll guide the conversation in a way that feels natural and grounded. By the end of our session, you’ll have a sense of how I work, what therapy with me will feel like, and what steps we’ll take together. Most importantly, you’ll leave knowing you’re not navigating this alone—and that you now have a safe, compassionate place to process, grow, and heal.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
To continue learning and building competencies as a provider, I stay up-to-date on research in different areas and use research-based evidence in treatment. I collaborate with my colleagues when discussing issues, which allows me to provide the best treatment for my clients. I am excited about a lot of things in the evolving mental health landscape. Firstly, I am excited that quality mental health care is more available to more people at an affordable rate. I am also excited about telehealth being accepted, as it allows more people to receive care who otherwise would not be able to. I enjoy reading and studying the connections between the brain and the body, how our thoughts affect our physical health, and how our mind and body are connected.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work best with clients who are ready to explore themselves more deeply, even if they feel unsure, overwhelmed, or stuck at the beginning. Many of the people I support come to therapy feeling anxious, emotionally exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or weighed down by life transitions and relationship stress. They may have been “functioning” on the outside for years while quietly struggling on the inside, and they’re finally ready for a space that feels safe enough to open up. My ideal clients are individuals who want a therapist who is warm, present, and actively engaged—not someone who just nods and listens, but someone who helps them make sense of their patterns, emotions, and experiences. I specialize in working with adults, young adults, and older teens who are dealing with generalized anxiety, overthinking, low self-esteem, people-pleasing, burnout, perfectionism, and unresolved family or relationship dynamics. I also work with clients who are navigating major life changes, healing from past emotional wounds, or trying to break out of old cycles that no longer serve them. You’re a great fit for therapy with me if you’re looking for a space where you can be honest, explore your emotions without judgment, and learn practical strategies to feel more grounded and confident in your daily life. You don’t need to have everything figured out—many of my clients come in unsure of where to start. What matters most is your willingness to show up, be open to insight, and take steps toward healing at a pace that feels right for you. If you’re seeking clarity, emotional balance, and a stronger sense of self, you’re exactly the kind of client I love working with.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as one of the core approaches in my work because it provides clients with a clear understanding of how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. My experience using CBT spans work with adults, young adults, and teens who struggle with anxiety, overthinking, depression, low self-esteem, and stress-related concerns. In our sessions, I help you learn how to identify unhelpful thought patterns—such as worry loops, assumptions, or self-critical beliefs—and understand how those patterns impact the way you feel and the choices you make. Together, we’ll explore where these thoughts come from, how they show up in your daily life, and what healthier, more balanced alternatives might look like. My approach to CBT is collaborative, practical, and tailored to your needs. I incorporate real-life examples, skill-building exercises, coping techniques, and gentle challenges that help you break old patterns and create meaningful change. Clients often appreciate that CBT gives them both insight and tools they can use outside of therapy, helping them feel more grounded, empowered, and in control of their emotional world. CBT works especially well if you’re looking for structure, clarity, and strategies you can apply in your day-to-day life—while still having space to explore deeper emotional experiences with support and compassion.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients develop a healthier, more flexible relationship with their thoughts and emotions. My experience using ACT spans work with clients who struggle with anxiety, overthinking, life transitions, self-doubt, emotional avoidance, and feeling “stuck” in patterns that no longer serve them. ACT helps you shift from trying to control or suppress difficult thoughts and feelings to learning how to acknowledge them with compassion, without letting them dictate your actions. In our work, I’ll guide you through skills such as mindfulness, grounding, values exploration, and emotional acceptance so you can respond to challenges in a calmer, more intentional way. My ACT approach is gentle, supportive, and very personalized. You’ll learn how to observe your thoughts rather than get pulled into them, how to make space for uncomfortable emotions without feeling overwhelmed, and how to reconnect with what truly matters to you. We’ll also identify practical steps you can take to move toward a more meaningful and fulfilling life—one that aligns with your values rather than your fears. ACT is especially helpful if you’re looking to reduce the power of anxiety, break unhelpful cycles, and build emotional resilience while still honoring your humanity and lived experience.
Humanistic
I integrate Humanistic Therapy into my work to help clients reconnect with their authentic selves, build self-awareness, and develop a deeper sense of self-worth. My experience with humanistic approaches comes from working with clients who feel disconnected from themselves, struggle with self-criticism, or have spent years putting others’ needs before their own. This method is especially supportive for people navigating relationship patterns, identity exploration, life transitions, and emotional healing. Humanistic therapy is rooted in the belief that you are inherently capable of growth, clarity, and change. In our sessions, I focus on creating a warm, non-judgmental, and deeply supportive space where you can openly explore your emotions, experiences, and inner world. Rather than telling you who you “should” be, I help you understand who you truly are and what you genuinely want for your life. My approach includes empathy, reflection, and genuine presence—helping you feel seen, heard, and understood. We’ll explore your strengths, personal values, and unique lived experiences, while gently challenging any limiting beliefs that may be interfering with your confidence or self-trust. Over time, this work helps clients become more self-accepting, more empowered, and more confident in making decisions that align with their authentic selves. Humanistic therapy is especially helpful if you’re looking for a therapist who honors your individuality and provides a space where you can grow, heal, and reconnect with the best version of yourself at your own pace.
2 ratings with written reviews
October 7, 2025
She’s the best. Quite simply, i feel understood.
April 11, 2025
Veronica is a great listener and shares a lot of empathy as you’re speaking.