Profile / United States
Monica Cesar McGraw, LICSW
Massachusetts
LICSW in Massachusetts - Anxiety and Trauma
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- DBT skills
- English and Portuguese
About Monica
Monica Cesar McGraw is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, LICSW, practicing in Massachusetts with six years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, motivation and self-esteem challenges. She speaks English and Portuguese and can carry sessions in either language.
Monica focuses on clear, practical steps to help people notice patterns that keep problems going. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and related methods to look at thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and test small changes. Sessions are conversational and goal-oriented, with time spent on strategies clients can try between appointments.
She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and mindfulness techniques to help manage intense emotions and reduce reactivity. Motivational Interviewing and narrative approaches appear when clarifying goals or examining the stories people tell about themselves. These methods are used to support work on depression, panic, obsessions, and other concerns listed in her practice.
Monica has worked across issues such as caregiving stress, aging and geriatric concerns, divorce and separation, and end-of-life matters. She helps people dealing with family problems, guilt, shame, and isolation by focusing on concrete coping skills and decision points. Her approach emphasizes practical tools rather than abstract explanations.
To begin, prospective clients are asked to complete a brief matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. Costs vary with location and services use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How CBT and related methods work in online sessions
Monica commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test small behavioral changes. CBT sessions typically focus on specific problems, set measurable goals, and try new coping strategies between meetings.She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and mindfulness techniques to manage intense emotions and improve moment-to-moment awareness. DBT skills training targets emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and effective interpersonal behavior, while mindfulness exercises help ground attention and reduce reactivity.
Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. Monica will work with each person to choose methods that match their goals and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress is reviewed. The choice of approach is based on what helps a person make practical changes in daily life.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and support continuity during life changes. Licensed professionals can often adapt techniques used in person to remote sessions, and Monica will discuss how to structure meetings to meet practical needs.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts
Languages
English, Portuguese
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she focus on most?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, depression, relationship and family issues, anger, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and related areas such as panic, OCD, and postpartum depression.
How would she describe her therapeutic approach?
She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with practical techniques to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, plus DBT skills, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and narrative work as needed.
What is her background and experience?
She holds an MA and has six years of professional experience working with adults on a range of mood, anxiety, trauma, and life-change issues.
What credential and location should I expect?
She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, LICSW, practicing in Massachusetts.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Portuguese.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and billing handled?
Costs vary with location and services use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to start working together?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.