Monique Gardner

Hopeful, practical therapy for everyday challenges

LCSW Virginia

Experience: 5 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Monique

Monique Gardner is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in Virginia who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, self-esteem concerns, and ADHD. They emphasize a collaborative, person-centered stance that meets clients where they are and supports practical steps toward healthier coping.

Background and approach

Monique draws on several evidence-informed methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), tailoring techniques to each individual's needs and goals. With five years of clinical experience, Monique blends solution-focused work with motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and strength-based practices to address both immediate challenges and longer-term patterns.

Their background includes work with dual diagnosis, post-crisis care, grief, behavioral and mood disorders, eating disorders, OCD, psychosis, and trauma, and they incorporate grief support and meditation when appropriate. Monique also coordinates care when clients prefer in-person services, maintaining ties with a local counseling consortium to assist with referrals and waitlist management.

Their approach emphasizes practical skill-building alongside emotional processing, guiding clients toward sustainable coping strategies and clearer choices about their next steps.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Care

Monique integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in online work. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, often using practical exercises and behavioral experiments. ACT emphasizes values-driven action and mindfulness skills to help clients live more meaningfully alongside difficult emotions rather than trying to eliminate them.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey, and Monique treats the process as a collaboration. They will discuss client goals, preferences, and experiences to determine whether CBT, ACT, or a blend of approaches will best support progress, adjusting methods over time as needs change.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access consistent care, practice skills between sessions, and maintain continuity when in-person meetings are not possible.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Monique commonly address?

They work with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem challenges, depression, and ADHD, along with a wide range of related issues such as grief, body image, and caregiver stress.

What is Monique's therapeutic style like?

Monique uses a person-centered, solution-focused approach that incorporates motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and skill-building to help clients develop practical coping strategies.

How much clinical experience does Monique have?

They have five years of experience working with diverse clinical presentations, including crisis care, grief, eating disorders, OCD, and trauma.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

Monique is an LCSW licensed in Virginia with credential VA LCSW 0904019356 and practices from that state.

Are sessions available in languages other than English or to international clients?

Sessions are conducted in English and Monique is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats does Monique offer?

They provide video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as options to fit different needs and schedules.

How is pricing handled for sessions?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability, and therapy is provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem Depression ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

5+ years

Licensed

Virginia

Languages

English