Ana Montenegro, LMFT
California LMFT for relationships and anxiety
- Bilingual English and Spanish
- CBT and solution-focused
- Family and relationship focus
About Ana Montenegro
Ana Montenegro is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with ten years of professional experience. She has worked in outpatient settings and offers both in-office and online care, providing individual, marital, pre-marital and group therapy for people facing depression, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, teen issues, grief and loss, self-esteem struggles, trauma and abuse, changes in the home, co-parenting challenges, and the stresses of military life, as well as support for personal growth and crisis.
Ana primarily draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a collaborative approach that helps people identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns to produce meaningful changes in feelings and behaviors. She often structures treatment around clear target problems, offers psychoeducation so clients understand how sessions are organized, and may suggest optional between-session exercises to reinforce progress. She also integrates solution-focused and client-centered ideas to set short-term and long-term goals while meeting each person where they are and moving at a pace that feels right for them.
In addition to clinical methods, Ana provides Christian counseling when clients prefer to incorporate spiritual perspectives into their work together. Her training includes a Master of Arts in Psychology from Phillips Graduate University through a Marriage and Family Therapy program, and certifications in Managing and Adaptive Practices (MAP), Seeking Safety, and Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) - each recognized as evidence-based practices. As a licensed professional, she maintains ongoing professional development through reading, trainings, and conferences to stay current with research and ethical standards.
Ana emphasizes a warm, nonjudgmental environment that invites self-discovery and active collaboration on treatment goals. She approaches therapy as a team process, helping clients develop strategies to address behavior change and find renewed meaning and balance in their lives.
Ana primarily draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a collaborative approach that helps people identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns to produce meaningful changes in feelings and behaviors. She often structures treatment around clear target problems, offers psychoeducation so clients understand how sessions are organized, and may suggest optional between-session exercises to reinforce progress. She also integrates solution-focused and client-centered ideas to set short-term and long-term goals while meeting each person where they are and moving at a pace that feels right for them.
In addition to clinical methods, Ana provides Christian counseling when clients prefer to incorporate spiritual perspectives into their work together. Her training includes a Master of Arts in Psychology from Phillips Graduate University through a Marriage and Family Therapy program, and certifications in Managing and Adaptive Practices (MAP), Seeking Safety, and Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) - each recognized as evidence-based practices. As a licensed professional, she maintains ongoing professional development through reading, trainings, and conferences to stay current with research and ethical standards.
Ana emphasizes a warm, nonjudgmental environment that invites self-discovery and active collaboration on treatment goals. She approaches therapy as a team process, helping clients develop strategies to address behavior change and find renewed meaning and balance in their lives.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCoping with life changesADHD
Additional Focus Areas
Blended family issuesBody imageCommitment issuesCommunication problemsEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues
Therapeutic Approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Ana Montenegro have?
Ana Montenegro has 10 years of experience in the counseling field.
Is Ana Montenegro a licensed therapist?
Yes. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and holds the license CA LMFT 50293.
In which languages does Ana Montenegro provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English and Spanish.
Where is Ana Montenegro located?
She is located in California.
How can I work with Ana Montenegro as my therapist?
You can work with Ana Montenegro through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Ana Montenegro work with international clients?
No. Ana Montenegro does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Ana Montenegro cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Ana Montenegro
Ana Montenegro uses evidence-informed approaches tailored to each client's goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning - it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and self-esteem concerns. Solution-Focused Therapy emphasizes practical steps and strengths to set and achieve short-term goals, making it useful for clients seeking concrete changes in relationships, career, parenting, or life transitions.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Ana works collaboratively with clients to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques from different models as appropriate and involves clients in planning treatment so the work feels purposeful and aligned with their values.
Online therapy with Ana offers flexibility and greater access to care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options allow clients to schedule sessions around work, family, and other commitments, continue care during life changes, and engage with licensed professionals from locations within the same state. The variety of communication styles also lets clients choose what feels most comfortable for discussing sensitive topics and practicing new strategies between sessions.