Monica Melgar (they/them/she/her)
I am a white latinx, non-binary, queer person. I began working in the mental health field after years of community organizing, playing in punk bands, and harm reduction work. I received my Masters of Social Work from Portland State University in 2020, and I am currently in training at Somatic Experiencing International to become a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Oregon.
Thank you for taking the time to read bios and explore your options! I believe that therapy can be a powerful tool in the pursuit of ease, wholeness, and liberation. My practice revolves around anti-oppression and social justice, and I hope to provide a space that acknowledges the various systems that affect your life, while also shining a light on your power to cope and to thrive.
Areas of Focus:
I specialize in long-term trauma work and recovery from developmental (childhood) trauma, shock trauma, and relational trauma. I also specialize in LGBTQ2S+ community members and individuals from mixed cultural backgrounds. I am sex-positive, kink-friendly, and competent with polyamory, non-monogamy, and alternative family structures.
My Approach to Therapy:
I blend elements of Somatic Experiencing, Narrative, Process-Oriented, and Internal Family Systems Therapy. I approach each session with curiosity, exploration, and respect that you are the expert on your own life. By connecting with the internal wisdom in your mind and body, I offer you a space to process and grieve, as well as a space to dream and grow. I use indigenous frameworks, I am invested in decolonizing therapeutic approaches, and I invite your spirituality, cultural practices, and ancestral connection into our work. My style is engaged, collaborative, and uplifting, and my hope is that through our work together, you feel supported and challenged to move into your whole self. If you think we’d be a good fit, I look forward to meeting you!
