Monica completed a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work at McMaster University. With empathy and compassion, Monica works together with clients to gently unpack and address difficult emotions and experiences. Her sessions are a safe space for clients to express themselves without expectation or judgment. Monica brings substantial life experience to her work with clients, as a mother, as a stage 3 cancer survivor, as someone who experienced anxiety much of her life, in addition to various other family, relationship, parenting and health challenges.
Monica has supported clients through such issues as anxiety, boundary setting/’people-pleasing’ tendencies, burnout, depression, childhood/family trauma, relationship issues, illness/post-illness and life transitions. Her eclectic practice incorporates elements of self-compassion work, mindfulness, narrative therapy, acceptance & commitment therapy, solution-focused therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy. For clients who identify as spiritual, Monica weaves spiritual concepts into the therapeutic conversation where helpful in making sense of issues and growing beyond these difficulties.
Monica approaches therapy from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed perspective. People self-identify in a variety of ways, and Monica regards these identities as positive, welcome and deserving of respect. As a social worker, Monica understands her important responsibility to uphold the dignity and worth of the individual and to promote social justice, which includes helping to empower individuals who experience marginalization due to race, gender, sexuality, mental health, physical health conditions or impairments, neurodivergence, religion, age, socioeconomic status, and/or other identities.
Monica is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW).