Monica Mendoza

Hi there, I am Monica! I am a licensed therapist in the state of Texas and have spent the last 21 years growing as an effective helper in the world of counseling and therapy. Achieving holistic health and reaping the rewards through genuine fulfillment takes courage and calls for commitment of the mind, body, and soul. Commitment to therapy as a pathway to that level of health is not inconceivable and is a journey you do not have to walk alone. I am here to support and empower you in that journey.

My approach

Feeling emotionally imbalanced can often feel frightening and overwhelming, worsened by the notion that you are going at it alone. My approach is action-oriented, thought challenging but reliably embraced with humility, compassion, and human-level connection. As a therapist, I do believe that there is much to be said about the art of motivation. There is even more to be said on inspirational influence and forming an alliance with purposefulness. Through an integrated and holistic approach to care, my aim is to help you find peace in accepting the things you cannot change; the inspiration, motivation, and courage to change the things that you can; and the insight to understand this difference.

My focus

I work with adults ages 18 and over dealing with stress and anxiety, depression, addiction recovery, trauma and abuse, relationship or family issues, conflict resolution, and adjustment to life-changing events. My professional experiences in outpatient and inpatient settings have seasoned me in most behavioral health conditions, including crisis assessment, intervention, and stabilization.

My communication style

Cultivating an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment is a vital part of the therapeutic experience. While it is important to keep the therapy work in mind, I find it as important to create a friendly and comfortable talking environment that may make one forget the experience is work. Most people desire to feel connected and are more likely to commit to therapy when it does not continuously feel like therapy, yet still arrive at the same successful outcome.

My journey to mental healthcare

I often reflect back to the period of time when I decided to enter the field of psychology and counseling…a much too young married mom, packing and unpacking with my military husband, estranged from family, battling the woes of parenting, battling the woes of parenting a child with special needs, still trying to get past the past that surely comes for most of everyone. All of these factors extended a hand in my decision to pursue a career in counseling and psychotherapy. I remain as much a student today as I was one to two decades ago and have resigned to the conception of life-long learning and personal growth. Being a part of someone else's healing process, or "search for meaning," is an extraordinary experience and certainly a privilege.

My goals for you

Progress is often notable by the manageability factor; through reduction of discomfort or distress; increase in functioning day to day. We do not always see or feel progress unless there is a huge leap toward it. However, it is important that we listen and watch for the small and the big wins; we affirm the step forward; account, challenge, and adjust when we are stuck; check in on your emotional responses and where you stand with motivation. It is essential to prioritize objectives to work toward and understand that therapy happens in the therapy sessions but also largely when you are not sitting in therapy. It is easy to identify a dozen areas of focus and become overwhelmed and lost in this sea of to-do’s. We will know which few we are active on and which we will parking lot until you are ready to activate and tackle something new.

My first session with you

While learning more about the situation and symptoms is important in establishing direction as early on as possible, it is equally important during the first session to ensure that comfort and trust are given the space to begin formation. An initial emphasis is encouraged on setting one's own comfort pace in sharing. Some people may be at a point where they truly need to get all their thoughts and emotions out without delay, while others may need to ease into it. There is no wrong answer here; the right answer is the one that feels right for you.