Asking for help is the hardest step. Congratulations!

You are half way there: awareness is the first step toward change. Dr. Monya is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working with adults and teens.  She specializes in working with trauma survivors, as well as clients who have symptoms of anxiety and depression.  Dr. Monya recognizes that traumatic experiences impact the brain and nervous system.  She will guide you in developing tools and strategies to regulate your nervous system, reframe your thoughts and change how you perceive yourself, others, and the world around you. 

What is Dr. Monya’s theoretical orientation and what therapy tools does she use?

Dr. Monya is a trauma informed therapist.  Her primary theoretical orientation is a mix of cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral therapies. She integrates a variety of therapy tools when working with her clients.  Everything from no talk therapy (i.e., drawing, writing, movement) to exposure therapy, Trauma Focused CBT, and mind body medicine.

What does it mean to be trauma informed?

Trauma informed means that Dr. Monya understands that you are likely to have a trauma history.  Her approach is to ask, “What happened to you?” versus “What is wrong with you?”  Dr. Monya recognizes that parents and families are likely to have a history of trauma and there may be a history of intergenerational trauma.  She understands the vicarious and secondary trauma that results from working on the front lines as a nurse, first responder, therapist, and teacher.  She is invested in not causing her client’s to be retraumatized. 

What is a traumatic event? 

A traumatic event is something that you experience directly, witness or hear about that overwhelms your ability to cope.   Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event experiences symptoms of PTSD.  If your trauma occurred in childhood, was chronic and perpetrated by a caregiver, most likely you have some symptoms of PTSD and meet more of the criteria for complex trauma.  Survivors of complex trauma may have difficulty regulating emotions and developing and maintaining healthy relationships.  You may engage in black and white or all or nothing thinking.  To survive or cope with your emotional distress, you may engage in self-injury, eating disordered behaviors, substance abuse, risky sex, or other tension reduction behaviors. 

How long should I schedule for a therapy session?

Therapy sessions can be anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes.  Therapy sessions can be scheduled weekly, by weekly or monthly.  We typically schedule weekly sessions and with time, move to bi-weekly and then to monthly sessions. 

What type of payment does Dr. Monya accept?

Dr. Monya accepts out of pocket, Blue Cross Blue Shield, CIGNA and Webtpa.   

Does Dr. Monya see clients virtually or in person?

Therapy sessions can be in person or virtually via the Zoom platform.  

In person sessions take place at Mindful Medicine, 837 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, MD  20860.   We continue to wear face masks in person and maintain social distancing. 

If you are interested in learning more, schedule a complementary 15 minute consult by contacting me. I look forward to hearing from you.