Monica Cruz

Monica Cruz is a licensed clinical social worker with 16 years of experience. She practices in Louisiana and helps people who are facing stress, anxiety, depression, anger, relationship strain, and other life challenges. Monica listens without judgment and focuses on practical steps people can try between sessions.

She draws on client-centered and attachment-based ideas to build a respectful working relationship. Monica also uses cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior approaches to help people change unhelpful thoughts and learn new coping skills. The Gottman Method informs her work around communication and relationship patterns.

Monica aims to make goals small and doable. She works with each person to create a step-by-step plan. That plan breaks larger problems into manageable tasks that can fit into a busy life.

Her background includes supporting people through trauma, grief, addiction concerns, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, and sexuality-related issues including LGBT and kink-aware care. She also addresses parenting stress, sleep and eating concerns, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

Sessions focus on clear, practical strategies and on building skills people can use right away. Monica combines listening with hands-on tools so clients leave with steps they can try before the next meeting.

How her approaches translate to online work

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on relationships and patterns that developed early in life. Online sessions using this approach help people notice how they relate to others and practice different ways of connecting when interactions feel stuck.

Client-Centered Therapy centers on listening and helping the client find their own solutions. In remote sessions this looks like a therapist who reflects what the client says and helps them clarify goals and next steps.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches practical techniques to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, anger, sleep or eating concerns, and helps people try small behavioral experiments between meetings.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Monica collaborates with each person to pick methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. She checks in and adjusts the plan if something isn’t working, so therapy stays practical and focused.

Confirm the specific session formats before booking, as the profile does not list them. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals can use the same therapeutic tools remotely to teach skills, review progress, and set manageable steps to practice between appointments.