As humans, we’re not always comfortable expressing our needs, owning our issues, or admitting that we have a problem. Frequently we wait until our lives are simply too big, too messy, or too complicated for us to manage before seeking out help. In the meantime, our problems don’t solve themselves. Quite often they get worse, involve other people, and begin to interfere with other aspects of our lives – like our families, our jobs, and our friends. Maybe this is your experience, or you’re afraid it will be.  Because we feel stigma around mental health, especially if we’ve achieved some personal or career success, this experience can be lonely – even isolating.

What you’re experiencing is what countless other men are facing as well. I know this because I see them in my office every day. Their stories are all unique; however, they share more in common than they know: burnout, anxiety, self-sabotage, depression, relationship issues, codependency, and addiction. Left unchecked, each of these has the potential to create permanent damage. This is what I work to prevent, and this is all about us.

Clients Monique Sees

• Ages: Children 2+, Adolescents/Teens, Adults
• Services: Individual, Play, Couples, Family
• Concerns: Relationships, Anxiety, Depression, Life Stress, Transitions, LGBTQ+ concerns, Self-Esteem, Wellness, Self-Harm, Suicide

Monique does not accept insurance, and is unable to accept new clients at this time.

Monique is a graduate of Texas A&M University Honors Psychology program with a minor in Neuroscience, and the University of Houston – Victoria’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program. She is also currently enrolled at St. Mary’s University’s Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral program with a concentration in play therapy and a desire to further research counseling from a wellness perspective.

Monique has had experience on a university helpline, at psychiatric hospitals, community agencies and clinics, as well as private practices. Though the majority of Monique’s experience has been with clients who are in crisis (suicidal, homicidal, psychotic), she also enjoys helping people deal with more common life stressors and becoming a happier version of themselves. Believing in a holistic view, she believes it is important to address all areas of wellness, and works from a person-centered, solution-focused orientation. If you’ve heard her speak, you may have heard her on her soapbox telling everyone how important taking care of your mental health is, whether you have a mental illness or not. She can often be heard asking, “If you don’t wait to break a bone to go to the doctor’s office, or wait for gingivitis to go to the dentist, then why wait for a crisis to see a counselor?” She commends all of her clients for taking responsibility of their health and emotional wellness, and jokes that the “crazy” people are those who choose to ignore their health. As she believes people need to start conversations about emotional health from a young age, she is also currently working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist. For more information about how children can benefit from counseling, please read more about Play Therapy in our services section. Monique enjoys helping clients throughout the lifespan, and tries to incorporate creativity, activities and expressive arts with clients of all ages.

When she’s not watching movies with her dogs, friends or family, Monique also enjoys traveling the world, doing arts and crafts, or reading a good book with a warm cup of tea.

“Meanings are not determined by situations, but we determine ourselves by the meanings we give to situations.”

― Alfred Adler

I remember my friends in grade school talking about cooking with mom or playing sports with dad. I did not comprehend why my family looked so different. My mother struggled with addiction and my father was in prison for most of my life. I was raised by my grandmother and realized just how different my family situation was. More importantly, I realized how much it impacted my development as a person.

Thus started my interest in mental health. I believe that the strategies and practice I learned in counseling from a young age are the reasons why I have been able to become the person that I am. If you feel like you can not achieve what you aspire, complete what you desire, or overcome the adversity that you’re dealt, I can help you.

Like Alfred Adler believed, life is built upon the choices made, not the situation in which you’re born. It is never too late to choose a life of happiness. No matter how bad your situation is, you can always change your mindset, starting with small choices. One of which is to attend counseling.

As your counselor, I will encourage you to prioritize yourself, your mental wellness, and your needs. I will encourage you, enable you, and empower you to take ahold of your life. Even if you feel like you’re drowning, I will teach you to swim.

Ryan is a clinical mental health intern at the University of Houston – Victoria. He has completed over 160 clock hours in a practicum setting and is excited to apply his experience and expertise into personal counseling. He takes a person-centered, positive psychology approach through the lenses of cognitive-behavioral (CBT), multicultural and Adlerian counseling perspectives. Ryan specializes in depression, anxiety, family issues, LGBT+ issues, overcoming burnout, suicidal ideation, codependency and relationship issues, and grief.

Additionally, Ryan serves as the office manager to assist with scheduling, insurance, and social media

When Ryan’s not working, submitting assignments for graduate school, you can find him listening to music with his two cats, working out, or taking care of his numerous plants while planning his next meal.