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My name is Monica Montoya and I am a bilingual (English, Spanish) licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC #13479) based in San Diego, California, and working with clients statewide via telehealth.
My approach
I utilize evidence-based treatments such as: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
My focus
Over the years, I have worked with adults, children, college students, adolescents, families, and couples. I have had the opportunity to facilitate parent, child, and teen support groups. I have also worked in different settings such as research, inpatient, partial hospitalization, outpatient intensive program, college/university, and private practice. I have found that my style/approach is an effective fit for teens and adults who may be struggling with depression, anxiety, and eating disorders (binge eating disorder).
My communication style
My communication style can be considered validating and nonjudgemental. I strive for creating a safe and calm environment with my clients. I strongly believe these elements strengthen the therapeutic alliance; which can lead to effective processing.
My journey to mental healthcare
I strongly believe in the motto: "If you feel better, you will do better" Every individual has the ability and power to re-discover their internal strengths to increase resiliency and self-efficacy. Being able to be a part of this process with my clients throughout the years, has been both humbling and rewarding.
My goals for you
My approach to goal setting with clients is about strongly working collaboratively to identify specific treatment objectives. I think about it as creating a "roadmap" and being flexible with the different routes we can take to get to our destination. I offer structure and detailed follow-through to stay on track and measure progress along our therapeutic journey.
My first session with you
What you can expect from our first session together is creating the environment to help you "feel comfortable in the uncomfortable" Starting therapy can feel daunting and frightening. I am here to hear you and engage non-judgmentally and mindfully. My main focus will be to better understand the reasons for seeking therapy at this moment, and how I can best support you. You can also visit my website: embracethewaves.com
