- CBT
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness
About Monica
Monica Cesar McGraw is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) in Massachusetts with six years of professional experience. She works with adults on common concerns such as stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and anger. She also speaks English and Portuguese and uses conversation to help people start sorting things out.
She helps people who are dealing with trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, relationship strain, and major life changes. Monica also supports those managing mood conditions like bipolar disorder and challenges linked to attention issues. She aims to make practical steps feel possible rather than overwhelming.
Monica uses several evidence-informed ways of working. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice patterns in thinking and behavior and try small experiments to change them. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for managing strong emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness. She also draws on mindfulness practices and motivational interviewing to help with focus and forward movement.
Her sessions tend to be conversational and goal-focused. People can expect to set clear, short-term targets and check progress each week. She pays attention to how life circumstances affect mood and coping, and she works with clients to build practical tools they can use between sessions.
Monica has worked across several settings over six years and brings that experience into flexible, structured sessions. She supports people through grief, caregiver stress, control issues, and end-of-life concerns, and she helps with obsessions, panic, phobias, and postpartum and trauma-related symptoms.
How her approaches translate to online work
Monica commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in her practice. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and anger. DBT teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills to help manage strong reactions and communication challenges.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Monica will talk with each person about their goals and daily life, and together they decide which methods to try first. This collaborative process lets techniques be adjusted as progress is tracked over time.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. They can also let someone use a phone call instead of video when a quieter setup or lower bandwidth is preferable. Licensed professionals and therapists adapt exercises like CBT worksheets, DBT skills practice, and mindfulness prompts for remote use so clients can keep working between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts
Languages
English, Portuguese
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, anger, relationship and family problems, and related issues such as bipolar symptoms and ADHD challenges.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her approach is conversational and goal-focused, using structured techniques like CBT and DBT skills alongside mindfulness and motivational interviewing.
How much experience does she have?
She has six years of professional work experience as a licensed clinical social worker in Massachusetts.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds an MA LICSW and is licensed in Massachusetts.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Portuguese.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.