Monica Hurtado-Germain

My name is Monica Hurtado-Germain and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in the Inland Empire, working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship stressors, and more. My goal is to create a safe environment for self-expression of thoughts and feelings, to help you feel better. , and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in the Inland Empire and working with clients statewide via telehealth

My approach

My approach to therapy varies based on the needs of each client I work with. I most frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Compassion, and Solution Focused treatment to explore your stressors and identify a path toward improvement in your daily functioning.

My focus

I have found that my style and approach are a good fit for adults 18 and over who may be dealing with the challenges of life. These can include work, academic, and relationship stressors, social pressures, grief and loss, and more. These stressors often manifest themselves in the form of anxieties and symptoms of depression. I work towards building a relationship and creating a safe environment that promotes healing and allows for self-expression of thoughts and feelings. I find that this approach empowers clients to safely process difficult emotions and build on coping skills that fosters hope and encourages future thinking.

My communication style

I want my clients to feel safe, not judged, heard and encouraged. I want them to know they are not alone and are capable of learning ways to cope with their negative feelings and thoughts. I want them to once again feel hopeful about living a fulfilled life.

My journey to mental healthcare

Wanting to understand and tell people's stories was initially what attracted me to the field of journalism. However, over the course of my academic career, I realized I wanted to do more than "tell" people's stories. I wanted to help individuals process difficult emotions and stories and eventually support them in reframing a difficult journey to one filled with hope for a better future.

My goals for you

My approach to goal setting with clients is all about working together to define what you want to accomplish in our time together. This often starts by building trust between us and getting comfortable with what it means to be in therapy. Over time, we’ll work together to set goals and track your progress.

My first session with you

My intention during our first session is simply to get to know each other and start building rapport. I will ask that you share what brought you to seek out therapy and, together, explore what you might want to identify as your treatment goals. We will spend most of our time talking about how you have been feeling and why you think you may be experiencing certain symptoms. I will ask you questions to clarify and better understand you. Once I understand more about why you are seeking therapy, we can begin to build goals for treatment. Each individual is different, and no two sessions are the same.