MEET MONICA - Sex Therapist in Los Angeles
My priority is to co-create a compassionate, non-judgmental space where it feels safe to explore your relationship and sexual concerns. Together we will discuss and identify what sexual health and wellbeing feels like for you so you can achieve the fulfilling relationships and intimacy you desire.
I am committed to supporting you develop an understanding of what you feel are healthy attitudes and behaviors related to sexuality so that you can move past struggles and anxiety to having a pleasurable, joyful and spicy sex life.
Who I Work With:
As a sex therapist working in Los Angeles, California, I work with individuals and couples/multiples with diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of sexual issues including those who are in or want to be in a monogamous or consensually non-monogamous (open, polyamorous) relationship. I take a collaborative, body centered, relational and solution-focused approach to working with performance anxiety, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, sexual desire discrepancy, sexual inexperience, painful or unfulfilling sex, and/or incorporating kink into your relationship. Additionally, I am experienced with how aging, illness, and body changes may impact intimacy across the lifespan.
I also offer support in navigating the grief and loss process when there has been a breakup, or a relationship is transitioning. Throughout our life we experience grief whether we're mourning the loss of a loved one, parent or a beloved pet. We also experience these feelings when we are struggling with health issues. I can help you work through and integrate your feelings as you move forward in your life.
My Background:
When I was a young woman, I experienced a significant lack of respect and compassion from medical professionals especially when issues surrounding relationships and intimacy were brought up. Because of this I decided to enter the healthcare profession initially as a nurse in order to change things from the inside and provide quality, compassionate care to those in need.
During my time as a nurse, I had the privilege of working as a sex educator at Planned Parenthood and other community clinics. My experience working in this capacity had a profound impact on me as I witnessed firsthand the tremendous benefit my patients experienced when they received compassionate, non-judgmental care. This led me to pursue a career as a therapist in order to offer support for clients navigating the emotional aspects of relationships and intimacy.
I trained at The Relational Center, a Los Angeles based, non-profit counseling center using a relational, inclusive and social justice-focused lens. I currently provide advanced training to therapists-in-training on how to support clients struggling with issues such as anxiety and grief related to losing a loved one or ending a relationship. Our focus is to help clients, in a non-pathologizing manner, develop skills such as mindfulness and empathy, which are needed to navigate life’s challenges and build meaningful relationships.
How I Work:
As a psychotherapist with a nursing background, I have successfully helped clients deepen their understanding of how their community and cultural experience intersects with their thoughts, feelings and embodied experience and how those impact relationships.
My approach to sex therapy is grounded in my belief that sexuality is an integral part of overall health and well-being. I take an ecological approach, considering how all aspects of your life (personal, relational/work, community, social and political) impact how you relate with others in general and intimately. Our work together would focus on ways to improve intimacy, sexual health, and bring pleasure back into your sex life. Depending on your needs, I utilize proven tools such as mindfulness activities, communication skill building, and homeplay activities you can do alone or with a partner(s). These activities, along with our work in session, support you to better understand your needs and desires and how to communicate them in a kind way to your partner(s).
Education and Training
The Relational Center, Los Angeles, California, trained in relational gestalt therapy (3 years) and currently providing trainings to associate therapists, social workers and community members (7 years)
Awakening Your Fearless Heart: Transforming Your Relationship with Fear: Tara Brach (6-week training)
Antioch University, M.A. Clinical Psychology, Community Psychology subspecialty
Osho International Multiversity, Pune India (in residency): Reawakening of Art: Utilizing art for promoting healing, connection and well-being with Meera Hashimoto
University of California at Los Angeles, B.A. Biology
Mount Saint Mary’s College, A.A. Nursing
Workshops and Trainings for Psychotherapists and Community
Mental Health and Sexuality in Aging Adults
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: A harm reduction approach
Harm Reduction: Principles and use in “risky” behavior (i.e. substance use, unwanted use of pornography)
Painting From Your Source: A Mindfulness-Based Workshop for individuals and partnered folks
Corporate Trainings
Maintaining Mental Health in a Changing World: Resourcing During a Pandemic
Navigating Loss and Grief for Yourself and in Support of Others
If this resonates with you, please request a free phone or video consultation
to see if we are a good fit.