Monica Torres, LCSW

Monica Torres is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker) practicing in Arizona with 10 years of experience supporting people through complex emotional challenges. She focuses on depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, and self-esteem concerns while attending to related issues such as abandonment, caregiver stress, relationship and family difficulties, and mood or personality disorder symptoms.

Her work honors diverse life experiences, with particular attention to the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, young adults, and people of color. Monica helps clients process grief, address isolation, heal from experiences of discrimination or past trauma, and build greater self-compassion and resilience. She draws from evidence-based approaches to help clients recognize emotional patterns, develop practical coping skills, and move toward meaningful personal growth.

Monica practices in a collaborative, culturally responsive manner that centers each person’s strengths and goals. She aims to create an affirming therapeutic space where people can explore difficult feelings, try new ways of coping, and take steps toward healing and empowerment on their own terms.

Approaches for Online Healing and Growth

Monica often integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and EMDR into online work in ways that suit each person’s needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and learning practical strategies to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes skill-building in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can help with mood instability, impulsivity, and relationship challenges. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused approach used to process distressing memories and reduce their emotional impact, often helpful for people coping with post-traumatic stress and past abuse.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Monica collaborates with each person to assess goals, preferences, and responses to different methods, adapting techniques as progress is made to find the best fit for healing and growth.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call or phone for more in-depth work, while live chat and text-based messaging provide accessible options for check-ins and ongoing support. These formats make it easier to schedule consistent care, reduce travel barriers, and maintain continuity with licensed professionals regardless of location within Arizona.