- Client-centered care
- Practical coping tools
- English and Spanish
About Monica
Monica Alvarez is a bilingual therapist who speaks English and Spanish. She works with people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, parenting challenges, and the effects of trauma. Monica emphasizes the client's own strengths and choices when moving forward.
She uses a client-centered stance that puts the person's experience first. That means she listens closely, reflects what she hears, and helps people identify goals that matter to them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools are offered to name unhelpful thoughts and try small changes that lead to better daily coping.
Mindfulness practices are woven into sessions to help with emotional regulation and sleep difficulties. Solution-focused ideas are used when people want quick, practical steps for specific problems like managing caregiver stress or coping with a life transition. Monica draws from 12 years of experience as an LCPC and LPCC to match approaches to each person's needs.
She helps people address concerns such as relationship strain, family of origin issues, body image, and career questions. Additional areas she pays attention to include abandonment, attachment struggles, codependency, and immigration-related stress. Monica supports clients exploring identity and LGBT-related concerns as part of broader life work.
If someone is ready to begin, she encourages a simple first step: pick what to focus on, set a goal, and try a few small changes together. Monica aims for clear, practical sessions that fit into busy lives and build on the client's existing strengths.
How Monica’s approaches translate to online sessions
Monica uses client-centered work to put the person’s priorities first. In practice she listens attentively, reflects what she hears, and helps people set goals that feel meaningful. This approach supports whatever issue someone brings, from parenting strain to grief.She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help identify unhelpful thoughts and try practical behavior changes. CBT work can help with anxiety, insomnia, low mood, and bipolar symptom management by breaking problems into small, testable steps. Mindfulness is offered as a complementary way to build awareness of emotions and ease reactivity in daily life.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to decide which methods to use based on goals, preferences, and what feels most useful in sessions. That may mean trying a few techniques and adjusting as the work progresses.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Many people appreciate online therapy for fitting sessions into work or caregiving schedules, avoiding travel time, and allowing for shorter check-ins when needed. Online work can make it easier to practice mindfulness or homework between meetings and to apply new skills directly to everyday routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
Illinois, California
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She helps people managing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and grief, plus parenting and relationship concerns. Other focuses include sleep problems, self-esteem, career stress, and compassion fatigue.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is client-centered with a focus on the person’s own goals and strengths. She blends practical techniques from CBT, mindfulness, and solution-focused work when helpful.
How much experience does she have?
She has 12 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of concerns and life changes. That background informs how she tailors sessions to each person.
What credentials and region are listed for this therapist?
She holds LCPC and LPCC credentials and practices in Illinois. The credentials appear as LCPC and LPCC in her profile.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Are international clients accepted?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.