My name is Monica Geldres and I have been working in the mental health field for over 15 years. In that time, people in my office have shared their secrets, hopes and fears. They’ve confessed wrongs, explored love and relationships, worked through childhood traumas, and sought support to get through some of their most difficult and painful life events. Most people who come to therapy have been judged harshly for their troubles, by themselves, their peers, spouses, employers, family, and, often, society at large. My role as their therapist has been to provide them a healing and corrective experience through understanding, empathy, acceptance and encouragement. The therapeutic approach that I use is purposeful and pragmatic, moving deliberately toward one or more mutually defined goals. My interest in pursuing this work began with my own need and search for answers about my family and early childhood traumatic experiences. My formal training at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor gave me the tools to practice the multiple approaches, explanations and interventions that have proven effective and helpful. Psychotherapy comes in many varieties and no single therapy theory or technique holds the answer for your healing process. My job is to help you understand your mental health needs and find the most appropriate intervention for you that can provide emotional relief, improve resilience, build independence, assert decision-making and improve your quality of life. I hope that in our work together, we can build the rapport and trust that we need to understand you and your subjective experience. You bring the hope, motivation, resources, social support and personal grit to the process. I must understand your inner strengths, life circumstances and personal narrative so that I can facilitate your learning new insights, new ways of thinking, different ways of communicating with others and managing your emotions. If I am successful in my job as your therapist, you will practice new skills, adopt new habits and find a new way of moving in the world. I look forward to the opportunity to meet you. I offer messaging, live chat and phone sessions, with availability in the evenings and weekends.