I strongly believe in the motto:
"If you feel better, you will do better"
Therapy Journey
Every individual has the ability and power to rediscover their internal strengths to increase their resiliency and self-efficacy; however, stressors, life transitions, acculturation levels, amongst many other vulnerabilities can get in the way of effective and adequate adaptation.
Although mental health has become less stigmatized over the past decade, a recent peer-reviewed study found that “mental illness stigma is higher among ethnic minorities than majorities" [O. Eylem et al. BMC Public Health 20, 879 (2020)]. As a bicultural/bilingual therapist, Mónica Montoya understands the significant impact this factor can have on racial minorities’ mental health wellbeing. Given Mónica’s commitment to serve underserved populations, she offers counseling services in both English and Spanish.
To aspire and nurture the best version of ourselves, Mónica is committed to continue educating her patients and the general community about the importance of effective emotion regulation. Ultimately, she believes that each and every one of us, independent of our background or the challenges we may face in the present and future, deserves a life that is truly fulfilling and valuable; a life that is filled with purpose and joy.
Clinical Training and Qualifications
Before Mónica Montoya was awarded her Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor license (LPCC #13479), in California (CA), she obtained extensive clinical experiences as a mental health counselor treating individual and group patients dealing with stress, depression, anxiety, and binge eating disorders. First, she received her clinical training at Alvarado Parkway Institute, a behavioral mental health center in San Diego, CA, treating adults at the inpatient level of care; she then proceeded to work with college students at Southwestern College, a community college in Chula Vista, CA, and finally, Mónica continued her clinical counseling training at the University of California San Diego's Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research, where she facilitated therapeutic groups at both Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) levels of care treating eating disorders, such as binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and obesity.
Mónica earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at San Diego State University in 2010, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego in 2017.