Welcome, I am so glad you are here!
I believe counseling works best when you feel genuinely seen, understood, and supported. My approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re making sense of difficult experiences, navigating life transitions, or building skills to handle everyday challenges, I want therapy to feel like a place where you can show up as you are. I work with clients from early childhood through adulthood and strive to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and empowering.
I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, along with a certificate in Play Therapy, from Sam Houston State University. I completed my undergraduate degree in Child Development at California State University, Sacramento. Before becoming a counselor, I spent many years working closely with children and families as an early childhood educator, and I continue to draw on that experience in my work today.
As a Play Therapist, I use both non-directive and directive approaches and work closely with parents to support children ages four through nine. As a parent, stepparent, and former educator, I understand how complex family life can be and how deeply those dynamics shape a child’s world. I am currently completing the final phase of my journey toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and am receiving advanced training in Synergetic Play Therapy.
I am certified in Brainspotting and have received training in Sandtray Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Level 1 of the Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
I consider it a privilege to walk alongside my clients and their families, and I am committed to providing compassionate, personalized care every step of the way.
Monica Gauntt
Counseling