Patricia Montanari, LMHC, LPCC

Patricia Montanari is a licensed mental health professional with 16 years of experience helping individuals, families, and groups navigate difficult life challenges. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from New Mexico Highlands University and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Her clinical credentials include LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor and LPCC - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, which reflect her training and work with diverse populations.

She brings a pragmatic, problem-solving orientation alongside an understanding that some struggles require longer-term care and deeper exploration. Patricia has worked in private practice, home-based therapy, community mental health agencies, and group settings. Early in her career she provided counseling to youth with behavioral challenges in residential and delinquent settings and supported preadolescent children and their families following sexual abuse and related behavioral concerns.

Her clinical experience spans personality disorders, co-occurring conditions such as substance abuse, disruptive and impulse-control disorders, and a broad range of mood and trauma-related concerns. She is attentive to multicultural dynamics and has experience supporting clients whose family members or partners come from different cultural backgrounds. Patricia integrates evidence-based methods including cognitive behavioral strategies, acceptance and commitment ideas, attachment-informed work, dialectical skills, reflective listening, solution-focused techniques, play therapy where appropriate, and stages of change concepts to tailor treatment to each person.

She offers individual, family, group, and couples therapy across the lifespan - from young children through older adults - and focuses on issues such as anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship conflicts, parenting challenges, ADHD, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, anger, and self-esteem. Her stated mission is to "provide a safe, relaxed and supportive atmosphere for increasing resolutions to life’s challenges."

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Patricia Montanari draws from several evidence-informed approaches to address a wide range of concerns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify personal values and take committed action even when difficult thoughts or emotions arise - it can be useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and many mood-related concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness - often helpful for intense emotions, relationship difficulties, and impulse-related challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Patricia works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts strategies over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility for people juggling work, family, or mobility needs. Patricia provides care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing clients to choose the format that fits their schedule and comfort. Licensed professionals can use these modalities to maintain continuity of care and support consistent progress outside traditional in-person settings.