Ana Montenegro

Compassionate, structured therapy for practical change

LMFT California

Experience: 10 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing
Languages: English, Spanish

About Ana

Ana Montenegro is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a decade of experience working with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting challenges, and life transitions. She practices in California and has provided individual, marital, pre-marital, and group therapy in both in-office and online settings.

Background and approach

Her work often addresses grief, self-esteem, trauma, co-parenting and military-related concerns, and she incorporates coaching elements when clients seek practical direction. Her style emphasizes collaboration and clear structure, drawing primarily from cognitive behavioral techniques to explore how thoughts influence feelings and behavior.

Ana explains treatment plans and may offer optional homework and psychoeducation to support progress, while also using solution-focused and psychodynamic ideas when helpful to meet clients where they are. She aims to foster an inviting atmosphere that encourages clients to take an active role in making changes and discovering personal meaning.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Ana holds California licensure as an LMFT (CA LMFT 50293) and continues professional development through reading, trainings, and conferences. Her practice blends practical strategies with reflective insight to help clients move toward greater clarity and healthier patterns.

How Ana's Approaches Work Online

Ana commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors; this approach is practical and often involves collaboratively set goals and exercises to practice between sessions. She also draws on Motivational Interviewing to support clients who are ambivalent about change, using reflective listening and goal-oriented conversation to build internal motivation.

Deciding which method to use is a collaborative process. Ana works with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences and may blend techniques over time so the plan fits each person's situation and pace. She values client input in shaping treatment and adjusts approaches as progress and goals evolve.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and needs. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support from home, and choose formats that feel most comfortable for therapy work.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Ana address?

Ana works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship and parenting challenges, grief, intimacy-related concerns, ADHD, and career or life transitions.

How would you describe her therapeutic approach and style?

She emphasizes a collaborative and structured approach, often using cognitive behavioral techniques along with solution-focused and psychodynamic ideas to set targets and support practical change.

What training and experience does she have?

She has 10 years of clinical experience and maintains ongoing professional development through reading, trainings, and conferences to stay current in the field.

Where is she licensed and based?

She is licensed in California as an LMFT with license number CA LMFT 50293 and practices with clients in that state.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in both English and Spanish to accommodate bilingual clients.

What session formats does she offer online?

She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as available formats for remote work.

How are fees and payment structured?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Self esteemCareer difficultiesDepressionCoaching

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCoping with life changes ADHD

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesBody imageCommitment issuesCommunication problemsEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shame Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English, Spanish