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Monica Burford, LMFT
Monica Burford, LMFT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapist
#109798
For Monica, therapy is highly personal, collaborative, and focused on self-empowerment and relief. No treatment is the same, as she takes the time to carefully understand the unique set of obstacles standing between each individual and a fuller, happier life. From there, Monica helps clients not only feel comfortable and understood, but in more control of their own well-being.
Monica utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and solution focused therapy approaches, which promote teamwork, understanding, and more rapid relief for her clients. She offers services in both English and Spanish.
Monica has worked with children ages 3 to 13, adolescents, adults, and families who are struggling with depression, anxiety, panic, grief, domestic violence (past and current), life transitions, stress, self-harm, and trauma. She actively attends industry conferences and specialist trainings, and constantly seeks to incorporate the latest research to maintain a high standard of care.
Monica received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology, and her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California. When she’s not working, Monica enjoys spending time with family, indoor rock climbing, and hiking.
Concerns:
- Academic Stress
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Death, Grief, and Loss
- Depression
- Divorce
- Family Problems
- Financial Stress
- Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania)
- Infertility
- Isolation/Loneliness
- Life Transitions
- Panic Attacks
- Parenting and Discipline
- Relationships/Communication
- Self-Esteem
- Sexualit/Intimacy
- Social Anxiety
- Social Skills
- Stress
- Trauma
- Work/Career
Special Interests:
- Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
- Life Transitions
- Young Adults
- Young Couples Dating or Recently Married
- New parents or women who are expecting
- Parents of young children
Certifications:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Grief and Loss
Intensive Study/Specialization:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Couples Therapy- Gottman Method
- TEAM CBT (David Burns)
Marriage and Family Therapists are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy with a family systems influence, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders that affect individuals, couples, and families. The Federal government has designated marriage and family therapy as a core mental health profession along with psychiatry, psychology, social work and psychiatric nursing. The State of California support and regulate the profession by licensing MFTs.
Educational requirements
Marriage and Family Therapists have graduate training (either a masters or doctoral degree) in counseling psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. Prior to a rigorous exam process leading to licensure, LMFTs must complete at least 3,000 hours of post-graduate clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Before full licensure, LMFTs are called “Associates”. LMFTs are employed in a variety of private and public settings, including private practice, community mental health centers, and behavioral managed care organizations.
Do LMFTs only work with clients who are having problems in their marriages and families?
No. While LMFTs are qualified to do couples and family therapy, most LMFTs work with individual adults to not only enhance the quality of their relationships, but also decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.
How can a LMFT help me?
Like other mental health professionals such as social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists, LMFTs help clients by diagnosing and treating common emotional and behavioral difficulties that interfere with functioning at an optimal level. LMFTs use empirical-supported counseling techniques to help their clients achieve desired goals.