Monica Morales
Becoming a Relationship Therapist
Relationships fascinate me. Even as a child, you could find me roaming the grown-ups table, observing and attempting to comprehend different patterns, cycles and styles of interactions and behaviors. All of my books, posts, conversations… they always circled the topics of relationships and psychology. Even with that knowledge, I still went into studying business and working in corporate America! After ignoring my calling for years, I realized that my purpose is to help others heal and build thriving relationships.
I feel most alive when I am deep in the trenches with people, hand in hand, assisting them in unlearning what doesn’t work and stepping into what does. True transformation takes time, patience, and consistency. When clients are ready for this commitment, I am allowed the great honor of positively influencing individuals, families and generations to come.
Counseling Philosophy
If you want to become a professional or an expert in anything, you must go through rigorous training and acquire degrees or certificates… Yet, there is no school for how to do relationships well. At best, we imitate what our parents/caregivers did and use trial and error to move through life with our loved ones. Couples counseling is for those who want to learn the tools that no one ever taught them: how to communicate effectively, use problem-solving techniques, rebuild trust and friendship, create a sense of teamwork and admiration between them.
I believe individual therapy is a place where you can safely and effectively discover who you really are and heal what’s broken. Together, we can uncover your strengths, weaknesses, goals, triggers, traumas, dreams, deepest worries and insecurities. Step by step you will get closer to living a life of freedom and authenticity.
My Counseling Style and Strengths
My style of therapy is fun and authentic, but efficient. I aim to break the stereotypes of what therapy is “supposed to look like” and help people find real solutions to their problems. You shouldn't be in therapy forever, nor should you despise coming into my office. I want you to come into therapy, knowing that you’ll be heard and seen. Be ready to learn. Let’s laugh at some of your silly behaviors, cry over what keeps you up at night and fight for what you want. I have the tools that you need. Let’s rewire some of your thoughts and behaviors and do life differently.
Professional Counseling Background
I’m experienced in working with individuals, couples, and families in outpatient settings. My work has focused on intergenerational trauma, life transitions, relational issues, divorce, anxiety, low self-esteem, Christian counseling, among other concerns. I am passionate about working with couples and individuals who are ready to take control over the things they can change and step into a purposeful life.
Professional Therapist Credentials and Training
- Gottman Method Level 2 Trained
- Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Trained up to Level 2 of Gottman Method Therapy
- Member of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT)
Hear From Our Clients
Hear from those who've experienced positive changes through our services.
“Dr. Dana made me feel so seen. I never felt shame for the trauma I’d caused. It was so healthy and helpful to find ways to navigate our conversations.”
“Thank you so much! It exceeded my expectations. You made me feel comfortable and supported.”
“I learned I need to take a 20 minute break when flooded, ask for clarity in facial expressions, use gentle startup and take ownership even if its small.”
“Gave me many tools and insights, I’m excited to implement them.”
“I couldn’t have had a better experience. Dana is so caring and smart and easily helped us navigate through our issues.”
“I learned that I need to ask for my needs and also take a break when I feel flooded.”
“I had an excellent experience, it helped me get clarity and learn valuable tools.”
“Dana was really effective at explaining the research, helping facilitate the conversation with figuring out how to address our biggest challenges.”
“Really pleased with the experience. Absolutely exceeded my expectations.”
“This helped lower the walls in our relationship.”
“Dana is superb, gracious, and kind. We’re very grateful.”
“I gained the clarity I was looking for!”
“Grateful to our extended therapist and her extended time! And of course, her dog!”
“The intensive process and longer sessions are incredibly helpful to push things further and get real work done.”
“The three-day package was necessary to enable the “emotional stretch” and that’s when we saw the best results.”
“This was a much needed intense session but helped promote healing and focus to decide where we go in life together.”
“This was well worth it and I’d definitely do it again!”
“This helped us sit and have uncomfortable conversations that were long overdue.”
“Exhausting but I loved everything about this!”
“This helped us have epiphanies and transformative thoughts.”
“Thank you so much for taking the time to really understand our issues and providing us with all the tools to use when future issues arise.”
“I feel like we have made huge progress on major issues with these three days.”
“Everything made me feel safe and comfortable here.”
“Therapist is great at listening and helping us with communication.”
“Absolutely, it was better than I expected and gave us great tools.”
“Empathetic and responsive.”
“Very accommodative and understanding.”
“I definitely feel Therapy Getaway helped with our relationship goals because it allowed a deeper dive in a structured fashion, with tools to continue improving our relationship.”
“Great session. They know their stuff and is really good at helping us find the language to effectively communicate.”
“They were incredibly instrumental in relating all the tools that my partner and I needed in areas where we struggle.”
“Therapy Getaway absolutely helped our relationship. They were amazing.”
“This was a very beneficial process. Dana made it easy for us to open up about every difficult issue we had been struggling with. We now have good tools.”
“It seemed at first that 2.5 days was long, but it feels so good to be in therapy that I wish it was 3-5 days!”
“Therapy Getaway immensely helped us talk about our problems in a safe place.”
“Dana is very experienced and sensitive to peoples situations and knows how to make you feel comfortable as if you were in your own home.”
“Learned a lot of coping tools. Dana was wonderful.”
