Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me! I know that the decision to seek support can be scary and challenging, so I commend you for taking the first step. I also understand that beginning or returning to therapy and finding a therapist who can connect with you may bring up some questions and concerns such as Will I be understood? Will they understand my unique family dynamics and upbringing? Will they truly get it? Can they help me? I am here to tell you that you are not alone in asking these very valid questions. For that very reason, my first goal in counseling is to welcome you into a safe and non judgmental environment where you can feel seen, heard, and understood. I take strengths-based approach to build upon the resiliency that you already have and collaborate on creating goals that are realistic and meaningful to you. It is an honor to be a part of your journey toward growth and to help you navigate the many stressors that come along in life.

I love to work with adult individuals, adolescents, couples, and families to create more safety and awareness within their lives and relationships. I enjoy helping my clients understand their patterns, identify where they feel stuck, and address important issues such as relational difficulties, depression, stress and anxiety management, communication, grief and loss, spirituality, racial and cultural related struggles, self identity, navigating life transitions, and more. My approach to counseling is collaborative, warm, and highly individualized to fit the unique needs of you and your family. It is important to me that all aspects of your experience are honored and integrated into therapy. I welcome the chance to get to know your story and incorporate your strengths, cultural and individual values, and unique personality into this therapeutic process.

I have received training in several highly effective theoretical models, including the Gottman method, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), all of which have been scientifically proven to benefit couples, families, and individuals. Most importantly, I strive to meet you where you are now and join you on this path of self-exploration, change, and growth. 

I look forward to getting to know you and beginning this journey together!

Depression: Depression is very common and can often affect all other areas of life. When depression creeps into our lives, it is very easy to slip into “survival mode” where we try to fulfill our responsibilities through the pain. Even daily tasks can be very energy consuming and heavy. I would love to help you navigate the symptoms of depression and create awareness in areas of your life that might be contributing to this issue. I know it might seem difficult to envision change when you are experiencing deep pain, but through awareness and building healthy positive coping skills, I believe that you can make profound changes and lead a fulfilling life.

Anxiety and stress management: If you are struggling with an overwhelming sense of fear about your life or future, it can block you from experiencing positive moments and events. I want you to know that you are not alone and that you can and will gain control over those paralyzing fears. Together, we will work to better understand what could be triggering your anxiety and create healthy coping mechanisms to address it. Through this therapeutic process, I would like to support you to regain control over your fears and to build your self-esteem and your confidence in yourself.

Adolescents and Young Adults: Adolescents and young adults face numerous challenges and transitions as they navigate through life. This developmental stage is significant, characterized by the exploration of identity, values, and the formation of personal perspectives. It’s also a time often filled with stressors and decisions that can feel overwhelming, accompanied by the pressure to “have it all figured out.” If you find yourself struggling in this stage of life, I would be honored to accompany you on your journey of exploration, curiosity, and fostering emotional awareness within your relationships, both with yourself and with others.

Navigating life transitions: Life transitions are usually a challenging time; we can find ourselves struggling with which direction to take and choices can become quite overwhelming. Whether it is moving across locations, starting over in a new place, deciding what to do after a degree, career shifts, breakups, or having a new family structure, I am here to help you untangle some of the conflicting or unsettling emotions you might be feeling and reduce your sense of overwhelm about this life transition. Together, we will work on exploring this area of change, and help you gain clarity and direction that best aligns with your values and goals.

Couples/Relational distress: Relationships are a significant area in our lives. They can be a source of comfort, joy, and security but also a source of conflict, pain, and insecurity. As humans, we desire to be connected, seen, understood, and accepted within our close relationships, but we often find that within those relationships, we suffer from a lack of understanding and communication and can feel distant from those closest to us. I want to welcome you and your partner or family into a safe and non-judgmental space that helps you explore areas where you get stuck, improves your communication, explores past emotional wounds, and helps you better communicate your needs while creating a deeper foundation of understanding and safety within your relationship.

Immigration stressors and racial/cultural identity: There are many struggles that come with leaving a home and a life that is all you are familiar with and coming into a new culture and society. Immigrant families face many challenges including but not limited to the experience of trauma, financial stress, language barriers, discrimination, limited access to the health care system, and many others. There are often also struggles within the individual and the family when it comes to racial and cultural identity and navigating self-identity with regard to cultural values and ideas. I would love to support you as you navigate the many stressors that come with immigration and explore your cultural/racial identity. I am intentional about practicing cultural
humility and sensitivity as we approach those issues.

Monica Lamie has a background in working with adults, children, youth, and their families and in navigating a variety of life transitions and psychological difficulties. She previously worked at Florida State University’s multi disciplinary center where she assisted with a variety of assessments, as well as Florida State University’s Children Learning Clinic (CLC). She worked previously at the Underground Clinic with adults and assisted them in dealing with issues such as depression, anxiety, navigating parenting roles, cultural and racial identity, and PTSD. She has conducted group therapy that focused on creating healthy relationships, communication, and self-esteem, as well as dealing with anxiety and unhealthy relationships.
Monica completed her Master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of South Florida. While at USF, she served as a mentor for fellow graduate students and was a recipient of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)’s minority fellowship program. She received specialized training in a variety of evidence-based treatments in individual, couples, and family therapy, multicultural competency, and working with underserved and minority populations. She speaks Arabic fluently and offers counseling services in both Arabic and English.

Monica works under the supervision of Dr. Jeanne Peterson and offers services at an affordable rate for individuals, couples, and families.