Hello! I'm so glad you're here.
My name is Monica Gonzalez. I am a licensed clinical counselor with over 11 years experience in providing therapy. Throughout my career, I have worked in various settings from outpatient in a traditional office to residential facilities to outdoor therapeutic camps. I have experience in group counseling, crisis intervention, and behavioral techniques and I've also worked with people from various backgrounds. I received a B.S. in Psychology from Youngstown State University and in 2005, I earned a Master's degree in community counseling. I have been an independently licensed clinician since 2009.
As a counselor, I strive to empower clients by maximizing their inner resources and finding their "voice". My main goal is to help clients reach their highest potential and lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. In my counseling practice, I offer non-judgmental support, encouragement, acceptance, and transparency. I am eclectic in my techniques meeting clients "where they are" to find what works best for them. If it seems helpful to the client, I may use a range of interventions including cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, and/or behavioral approaches. Through ongoing training, I am always seeking new and innovative best-practice interventions to help me improve what I offer to clients.
I currently live in Ohio, where I am originally from, but I am of Puerto Rican descent. As a child I lived and went to school in Puerto Rico, so I speak, read, and write Spanish fluently. I am comfortable providing services in either language depending on my client's preference. I am also part of the LGBTQ community and I believe I can provide support to LGBTQ clients from a perspective that includes professional training and personal experience as a lesbian woman of color.
More importantly, I understand the counseling process not only as a professional, but also from personal experience. Life often throws at us unexpected and challenging situations that overwhelm us. We all need a little help sometimes to get to the other side of it!
It will be my pleasure to guide you and help you find what works best for you!
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
OH LPCC E.0900006