Education
Monica is from Carlsbad and obtained her undergraduate degree from UCLA. She then obtained her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Southern California.
Experience
Monica’s clinical experience began at Beit T’Shuvah in Los Angeles, where she provided therapy to individuals in early recovery from substance abuse who suffered from several co-occurring issues. Monica has helped teens and adults struggling with mood disorders, anxiety, depression, transitional life issues, identity exploration, and relational issues. She led a Women’s DBT and Mindfulness group, working with clients on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal skills, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Monica has experience working with children both in school settings and at Brain Bridge, a cognitive training center, where she supported children with learning disabilities as they developed new study skills and confidence in themselves.
Monica is an former Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard and collegiate athlete, fueling her passion for understanding the mind-body connection, primarily via tuning into physical sensations and emotions through mindfulness techniques.
Philosophy
Monica’s therapeutic philosophy centers on building the therapeutic relationship with compassionate curiosity and authenticity. She uses a collaborative and culturally sensitive lens, working to understand the individual and their unique story, emotional needs, and sense of self. Monica helps clients explore the different parts of themselves, which includes bridging the mind-body connection, creating an understanding and deepened awareness around physical and emotional sensations. Through deepening connection with the Self, self-compassion, mindfulness, etc., Monica aims to empower clients to meet their most authentic self and develop skills to both improve relationships and connection both with others and with themselves.
Specialties
Teens
Emotional Regulation
Behavioral Issues
Anxiety/Social Anxiety
Identity Exploration
Families and Relationships
Trauma
Addiction
Athletes and Former Athletes
First Responders
Transitional Life Issues
MindfulMonicaTherapy@gmail.com
(323) 804-0225