Helping your child thrive – inside and out
Every child deserves to feel confident, capable, and supported. If your child is struggling with anxiety, impulsivity, depression, low self-esteem, or challenges with school readiness skills, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I offer compassionate, evidence-based support tailored to your child’s unique needs, helping them build resilience, develop coping strategies, and strengthen the skills they need to succeed both in school and in life. Together, we can create a path so they can Bloom and Balance into a brighter future.
a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a deep commitment to supporting children and families as they navigate life’s challenges and transitions.
I earned my Master’s degree from the Jane Addams College of Social Work in 2005 and have spent the past two decades working as a school social worker in the Oak Park Public Schools. For the past three years, I’ve also provided therapy to children in private practice. These two roles have enabled me to work closely with families, educators, and young clients across various settings, and have only deepened my passion for serving my community.
Equity, diversity, and representation are core values in my work. I’ve had the privilege of supporting neurodivergent children for over 20 years, helping them grow socially, emotionally, and behaviorally while gaining access to the education they deserve.
In both school-based and private practice settings, I strive to help children build resilience and the capacity to face developmental transitions and life’s adversities with confidence. My therapeutic approach is integrative and child-centered, drawing on techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), play-based interventions, and interpersonal work. I support children through challenges such as anxiety, depression, peer and social stressors, family dynamics, school-related concerns, and special education needs.
Hi, I’m Monica
PHILOSOPHYWhether a child is struggling to regulate big emotions, navigate friendships, or adjust to change, my goal is to create a supportive space where they can feel seen, heard, and empowered to bloom.
SPECIALTIES-
An evidence-based approach that helps individuals accept difficult thoughts and feelings, connect with their values, and take purposeful action toward a more meaningful life. Rather than avoiding discomfort, ACT teaches skills to face challenges with openness, resilience, and self-compassion.
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CBT is a practical, goal-focused approach that helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. By learning new ways of thinking and coping, CBT empowers people to manage challenges, improve mood, and build healthier patterns for daily life.text goes here
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DBT is a structured, evidence-based approach that combines acceptance and change strategies to help individuals manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and build healthy coping skills. DBT teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to support balance and well-being.
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IR focuses on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening relationships. By building empathy, active listening, and problem-solving skills, it helps individuals navigate challenges, foster understanding, and create healthier, more respectful connections.
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PB-I use the natural language of play to help children express emotions, develop social skills, and build problem-solving abilities. Through guided activities, play becomes a powerful tool for fostering emotional growth, resilience, and healthy development.Item description