Monica Cruz, LCSW - Therapist in Louisiana

Collaborative goal setting
Attachment-informed care
Skills for emotion regulation

About Monica

Monica Cruz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Louisiana with 16 years of experience. She welcomes people who are ready to take steps toward change and offers steady, nonjudgmental support while they set realistic goals. Her style is collaborative and practical, focusing on small, manageable steps that build over time.

Monica listens first and helps people sort out what matters most to them. She uses evidence-informed methods to address stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, addictions, and trauma-related concerns. She also assists with relationship and intimacy issues, grief, body image, ADHD, and coping with life changes including coping with natural or human-caused disaster.

Her approach centers on understanding attachment patterns and strengthening how people relate to themselves and others. Cognitive and behavioral techniques are used to identify unhelpful thinking and to build new skills. Dialectical strategies offer tools for emotion regulation and distress tolerance when feelings feel overwhelming.

Monica works with clients to create a tailored plan that breaks larger goals into manageable actions. Sessions focus on practical problem solving, clearer communication, and strategies people can try between meetings. She aims to help clients notice progress and adjust plans as life shifts.

People who prefer a calm, direct, and empathetic clinician may find her a good fit. Monica speaks English and practices in Louisiana. To begin, follow the site's Start Therapy flow and complete the matching questionnaire to schedule with her.

How Monica's Approaches Translate to Online Work

Attachment-based work focuses on patterns in close relationships and helps people notice how early bonds shape current reactions. Online sessions can be a place to practice new ways of relating and to reflect on attachment patterns with guided support.

Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and following the client's lead, helping people feel heard while they decide the next steps. In a virtual meeting this looks like focused, empathetic conversation aimed at understanding the person's goals and values.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets unhelpful thoughts and habits by teaching concrete skills and behavioral experiments. Online therapy can be a good setting to review homework, try new skills between sessions, and track progress together.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Monica will collaborate with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adjusts plans as progress is made so the work stays relevant and achievable.

Confirm the current session options before booking, as session formats are set by the therapist and the service. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and support consistent follow-up and skill practice between meetings.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Gottman MethodJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

16+ years

Credentials

Louisiana

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar concerns, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, body image, ADHD, and related challenges.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style is calm, practical, and nonjudgmental. She works collaboratively to set goals and break them into manageable steps.

What is her clinical background?

Monica has 16 years of experience working with a diverse range of people and uses a mix of evidence-informed approaches to help clients make steady progress.

What credentials and region does she practice in?

She is an LCSW licensed in Louisiana and practices there.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the U.S. work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are fees and payment handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to start working together?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.