Individual and Couples Therapy
~San Luis Obispo, CA~
Therapy for Individuals & Couples
{Emphasis on professional and university student related concerns}
About
Melissa Monji, M.S., LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 126336
I am a California based licensed marriage and family therapist with a private practice nestled between downtown San Luis Obispo and Highway 101. I graduated with distinction from Cal Poly with an M.S. in Psychology, and I obtained my B.A. (summa cum laude) in Psychology with a minor in Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies from CSU Bakersfield. While pursuing my degrees, I dreamed of becoming a marriage and family therapist, so I could support others in navigating their lives and realizing their dreams and goals also.
My therapy practice focuses on university student and professional concerns, and I provide both individual and couples therapy. My work centers on offering support and tools to help clients better manage anxiety and stress, improve relationships, increase self-esteem, and address life transition concerns. I am also experienced in treating depression, grief & loss, and transforming unwanted behaviors. My counseling experience began while attending Cal Poly and has continued with non-profit agencies and private practice since then. I see clients from a wide range of professional fields and majors, and I am sensitive to the needs of those from backgrounds both similar and different from my own.
My approach toward therapy is integrative, since I believe clients should be offered tools and support that make sense for how they view their lives, their strengths, and their challenges. I work from a strength based perspective, which means I am interested to hear about what is working well for clients even amidst their challenges. This approach facilitates the enhancement of strengths, and these strengths can be used to assist clients in meeting their goals. I adjust my interventions based on client needs and preferences, but I frequently utilize approaches based in humanistic psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, family systems, and attachment.
Thinking about making a change in your life?
Specialties
Anxiety & Stress
I frequently work with individuals (and couples) that experience every day stress and overwhelm, as well as those dealing with persistent anxiety and panic. I understand that people experiencing stress and anxiety often feel a lot of internal and external pressure. This pressure can make it difficult to relax, steal joy away from happy moments, and make sleeping difficult. Anxiety and stress can also leave a person feeling dissatisfied, insecure, and fatigued. I can offer sensitivity, tools, and information to help manage the stress and anxiety you may be experiencing as an individual (or a couple).
Relationship and Self-Esteem Related Issues
I often help clients with relationship based issues (both past and present). I also offer tools and information for creating and strengthening relationships as needed. Relationships greatly impact a person's self-esteem, so when focusing on improving relationships (or relationship skills), it is often helpful to spend time working toward improving self-esteem also.
Learn More
University Students
I frequently work with Cal Poly students from freshman to master's level. I am a graduate of Cal Poly myself, which seems particularly helpful to my Cal Poly student clients, since I have insights into the university's culture and some of its resources also. University students can encounter many changes that they must adjust to, especially when they are going to school far from home. Additionally, they also face important decisions regarding picking (or changing) majors, and figuring out what the next step is after graduation. They may also be wondering how best to spend their time, where they fit in socially, and how to manage a busier or emptier schedule than they had in high school or undergrad.
Learn More
Life Transition Concerns
Potential clients often contact me when they are considering making an important decision (or decisions) in their lives. They may feel as though a change is needed, or perhaps they have just experienced a significant change and are wondering what their next steps should be. Whether the change is expected or unexpected, many of us can benefit from some additional support at the crossroads we encounter in our lives.
My Frequently Asked Questions page answers many of the questions that potential clients often have for me, please consider connecting to that page if it seems like it might be helpful to you.
Couples Therapy
Supportive and growth oriented couples therapy
I enjoy working with couples during various stages in their relationships, but I particularly like helping couples to improve communication, enhance trust, and re-establish a friendship that has often times been lost in the busyness of daily life. Additionally, I also recognize that some couples may want to utilize therapy to maintain, or improve on, an already strong relationship. These couples may be interested in thoughtfully preparing for a milestone in their relationship like moving in together, getting married, or planning for children. I am happy to help couples navigate these life transitions as well.
I am sensitive to the fact that it can be particularly difficult for couples to share their relationship troubles with someone outside of their relationship. Despite the fact that couples therapy can initially feel uncomfortable, for some, I find that the couples I see will often end up looking forward to sessions. During couples therapy sessions, I focus on offering a neutral space where each partner can share what is on their minds, and I offer support and practical tools for planning for the future and moving beyond various relationship issues.
Providing counseling on the Central Coast & in other locations throughout California
Video Sessions offered
Online Therapy
I am offering secured video sessions (also known as online therapy) to support clients remotely. The secured video platform I utilize has been user friendly, and allows clients to participate in therapy from a private space of their choosing (anywhere within California).
Secured video sessions are convenient and can be accessed through laptops/desktops, tablets, and even cell phones. If you would like additional details regarding how (remote) sessions work please contact me.
Helping high achieving professionals & university students create more balanced and fulfilled lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rates
Resources: TED Talks
Other Resources
(For Client Use)
Contact
Melissa Monji, M.S., LMFT | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- 956 Walnut Street, Suite 200 D, San Luis Obispo, California 93401
