Ingrid Montes , LCSW

Ingrid Montes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with six years of professional experience. As an LCSW, she is trained to provide clinical social work services and mental health support. Her primary focus is helping people manage stress and anxiety while also addressing related concerns such as communication and family problems, fertility challenges, mood disorders, women's issues, and the transitions common in young adulthood.

Montes believes that each person is the expert of their own story and that therapy is a collaborative process that builds on existing strengths. She takes a client-centered, strengths-based approach aimed at supporting and empowering individuals as they take courageous steps toward a more fulfilling life. Her work emphasizes practical skills, personal insight, and the development of strategies that fit each person’s values and goals.

She draws from approaches such as Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing to tailor care to individual needs. She provides services in English and Spanish. Due to a conflict of interest she does not see Kaiser members, and she is not accepting new clients at this time.

Approaches Used in Online Therapy

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy and collaboration, inviting the person to lead the process while the therapist offers support and reflection to deepen self-understanding. This approach can be especially helpful for stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, and identity questions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to distress and on developing practical skills to change those patterns. CBT is commonly used for anxiety, mood difficulties, and stress management.

Motivational Interviewing is a conversational style that helps people resolve ambivalence and find their own motivation for change, which can be useful during life transitions or when facing difficult decisions.

Finding the best therapeutic approach is part of the work itself. Ingrid Montes collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts techniques as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options help make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care across distance, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable for the individual while working with licensed professionals and therapists.