- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Solution-Focused techniques
- Motivational Interviewing
About Ana
Ana Montenegro is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, practicing in California with ten years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting concerns, and anger. She offers services in English and Spanish and combines practical strategies with conversation to help people manage current problems.
Her work often uses cognitive behavioral ideas. That means she helps people notice patterns of thinking that affect mood and behavior. She explains what to expect in treatment and may suggest short exercises to practice between sessions. These steps are meant to support change outside of the therapy room as well as during sessions.
She also draws from solution-focused and psychodynamic ideas when helpful. Solution-focused work targets short-term goals and concrete steps. Psychodynamic ideas look at patterns tied to past relationships that show up now. Ana balances short-term problem solving with understanding deeper patterns when clients want that.
Ana sometimes includes motivational interviewing techniques to help people clarify their values and strengthen commitment to change. She describes therapy as a collaborative process and checks in regularly about how the work is going. Her stated aim is to help people develop strategies they can actually use in daily life.
She has experience in both in-office and online settings and has worked in outpatient programs. Her approach is described as structured and time-focused when appropriate, while also allowing space to address longer-term concerns. People who want clear steps and conversational guidance may find this style practical and straightforward.
How Ana’s approaches translate to online work
Ana uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. CBT sessions typically focus on a clear problem, practical steps, and exercises to practice between meetings. Motivational interviewing helps people sort through ambivalence and strengthen their reasons for change, which can be useful when anger is tied to life transitions or commitment to new habits.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Ana will talk with each person about their goals, needs, and preferences and together decide whether a CBT focus, motivational interviewing, or a mix fits best. That collaborative planning can change over time as goals evolve.
The original biography lists that she has provided online sessions; please confirm which online formats are currently offered before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy schedule, shorten check-ins when time is limited, or avoid travel. Many people find that working with a licensed professional remotely helps them practice new skills where they live and work while keeping therapy manageable alongside daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of anger issues are addressed here?
She works with anger alongside stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns and related areas such as grief and self-esteem.
How would she approach someone with a short fuse?
She typically uses cognitive behavioral methods to identify patterns of thinking and offers practical exercises to change reactions over time.
What is her background and experience?
She has ten years of experience in counseling and has worked in outpatient and online settings with a range of concerns.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is an LMFT licensed in California and practices in that state.
Can I have sessions in Spanish?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
What session formats does she use?
The original biography mentions both in-office and online work; confirm current session options with the practice before booking.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to try therapy?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.