With almost a decade of experience in the counseling field, Monica’s therapeutic approach is deeply collaborative, striving to create and maintain a safe and nonjudgmental space for clients to feel supported. They have extensive experience working with complex issues and populations, such as 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals, sex workers, survivors of abuse and intimate partner violence, immigrants, and those navigating Neurodiversity, Disability, non-monogamy and gender identity. They also have experience as a psychedelic therapist in research and non-research settings, and enjoy helping people integrate their psychedelic experiences and insights into their lives.
Grounded in a transformative and intersectional framework, Monica’s work recognizes the interconnectedness of mind and body, social identity, and the cultural contexts we each carry with us and those we find ourselves within and/or othered from. She integrates therapy intervention approaches and an anti-oppressive lens to help clients cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and a sense of empowerment within their communities and the larger world.
Monica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a specialization in Behavioral Health. They earned their Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and currently hold licenses in MD and VA . Their approach to therapy is eclectic and can include elements of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Somatic and grounding techniques, Psychedelic Therapy including Ketamine and Psychedelic Integration, etc. It is a priority for Monica to provide clients access to resources they might not otherwise have access to. They deeply enjoy their work with LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, couples and relationships, as well as QTBIPOC-identifying folx, sex workers, people in non-monogamous relationships, those who feel othered in their lives, parents of queer and trans youth, and more.
Monica personally identifies as mix-raced, queer, and non-binary. She is a parent of two young ones, and loves traveling, camping, photography and art, crafting, live music, community things and self time. They are currently accepting new clients and relationships 18+ years old and up in person in our Arlington, VA office or virtually via telehealth.
