ONLINE INDIVIDUAL AND COUPLES THERAPY SERVICES
About Buford Therapy
Learn More About Monica & Her Services
About Buford Therapy
Welcome to My Virtual Practice
My approach to therapy is centered around you—your unique story, needs, and goals. I believe in building a strong, trusting relationship from the start, taking the time to truly understand your situation so that I can support you in the most effective way. Every session is a collaboration: I bring my clinical expertise, and you bring your own wisdom and experiences.
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Over the years, I’ve developed a passion for working with couples and adults. For couples, I focus on strengthening the foundation of friendship, fostering teamwork, and navigating conflicts in healthy ways. For individuals, I provide support with issues like work stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, grief, and major life transitions—whether that’s going through a divorce, adjusting to college life, moving, or embarking on a new career or business venture.
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Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, I’ve called California home since 2002, living in cities like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. I met my husband in 2010 at UCLA, and together we have two young daughters (both under 5) and a playful fluffy white cat named Frank Frank (or Franklin, when he’s feeling formal). Outside of therapy, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, and exploring the outdoors through hiking.
How I Work with Couples & Adults
My approach to therapy is both structured and flexible, designed to meet you—whether you're an individual or a couple—right where you're at. I believe in letting you take the lead in setting the objective for each session, while I provide the tools and guidance to help you reach it. Each session, we’ll check in, identify a key area of focus, address that issue, and create a plan for the week ahead (your "therapy homework"). My goal is for you to leave each session feeling heard, supported, and with clear next steps that align with your long-term goals—or sometimes, simply with a sense of relief after processing the stress of the week.
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For couples, especially at the start of therapy, there’s often a teaching component as we work on new communication strategies. I enjoy explaining the research and reasoning behind the tools I suggest, helping you understand why certain approaches work. The same type of learning and exploration happens in individual sessions as we work through activities together, always with the aim of equipping you with practical, actionable strategies for real-life change.
My Personal Experience with Therapy
I had my first therapist when I was about 9 years old, and I still remember her name, what she looked like, and most of all, how she made me feel. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with different therapists at various points in my life, which has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of feeling safe and supported enough to be vulnerable. I’ve also experienced the frustration of working with therapists who, at times, made me feel judged or misunderstood—especially when I was opening up about things that felt difficult to share.
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These experiences have shaped my approach as a therapist, and there are two key lessons I carry with me every day: First, I strive to be the therapist I’ve appreciated most—nonjudgmental, empathetic, and fully dedicated to helping you reach your goals in a way that fits your unique circumstances. Second, I never take for granted the privilege it is to be invited into someone’s life and trusted with their personal journey. It would be an honor to support you in reaching your goals and to walk with you through one—or many—chapters of your life.
Training & Education
License and Certification
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California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS): Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #109798 Verify License
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Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (Learn more about certification)
Educational Background
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Bachelor of Arts from UCLA with a major in Psychology and a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology
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Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from USC
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Trainings
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Completed the Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
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Completed extensive training in the Grief Recovery Method
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Completed training in TEAM-CBT (Level 1)