I am licensed in Iowa and Illinois with 9 years of professional clinical work experience. I have a Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling, a Masters of Divinity with 4 Units of Clinical Pastoral Education, and over 15 years of Ministerial/Pastoral Practice. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & dementia caregiver stress. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dependent personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Eating and food-related issues, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Immigration issues, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Sex addiction, Sexual assault and abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Traumatic brain injury, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
IL LCPC 180016866
IA LMHC 094835
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Rev. Sergio Ayala. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Extremely thankful for this guy. Thorough and genuine.
Written on Jan 20, 2025 after therapy with Sergio for 1 year on issues concerning addictions, relationship issues, and adhd
Rev. Ayala is extremely knowledgeable and understands the importance of moral freedom. He understands my faith and what I am going through because he has lived the experience as a Catholic male.
Written on Dec 28, 2024 after therapy with Sergio for 9 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, and relationship issues
Rev Ayala has been excellent, we only had two sessions but his willingness to adapt, comprehend and try to reach out to you is great, and very respectful; Thank’s a lot!!!
Written on May 25, 2024 after therapy with Sergio for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, eating disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
Absolutely thee Best
Written on May 04, 2024 after therapy with Sergio for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Rev. Ayala is very good at what he does. He listens to me and guides me through my struggles
Written on Mar 04, 2024 after therapy with Sergio for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Rev. Ayala is the best therapist who has EVER provided service to me. His insight helped to instill hope and confidence regarding my choices and suggestions in making the best choices for having a good quality of life. His therapy skills are a blessing.
Written on Feb 15, 2024 after therapy with Sergio for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and anger management