Monica Avalos, LPC

I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC). I received my Master of Education degree in Counseling from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Houston- Main Campus. I have a combined 15 years of experience serving young individuals and their parents in the public-school setting of two notable Houston school districts, and with adults in private practice while working toward my license at the Family Enrichment Clinic and then fully licensed with Texas Psychiatry Group. I have now established myself as a private practitioner with an interest serving high school teens, young adults, and women. My specific treatment areas include anxiety and depression related to life transitions, loss, or grief. I am a native Texan. My dominant, primary native language is English, and my second language is Spanish. I am confident accommodating Spanish speakers.

My approach to therapy is client-centered, established in research and empirically supported theories like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused therapies. I am your facilitator for reflection, acceptance, adjustment, or creation as you explore parts of the therapeutic process used for your growth and self-discovery in a safe, non-judgmental space. Clients should expect to feel heard, seen, validated, and sometimes challenged yet supported. My hope is that clients not only take away a deeper understanding of the barriers contributing to their struggles, but also the tools needed to nurture a healthier, new and better path toward self-fulfillment.

I enjoy working with high school teens and young adults on self-esteem, developing healthy mindsets and relationships. I also work with the mind-body connection for women struggling with gynecological challenges, like infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, and menopause. I provide traditional in office, in person or virtual sessions. I also offer a non-traditional approach to therapy, called Walk & Talk Nature Based Therapy. If interested in finding out more about this modality, please reach out!

I also offer the Wellness approach of Shinrin-Yoku, better known as forest therapy, here in the USA. As a certified Forest Therapy Guide by the Forest Therapy School, I promote being with Nature to develop a deeper sense of mindfulness that nurtures your mental and physical well-being. This practice can be done individually, as a couple or as a small group. I also provide this wellness practice with corporate departments or small businesses seeking a team relax and restore experience.

One other sector of the community I serve are immigrant families by way of Immigration Evaluations. This is a non-therapeutic service secured by an attorney in the interest of their client.

Lastly, and certainly not least, thank you for taking the time to visit my profile!