Profile / United States
Dr. Monica Kelson, CA Psychologist 13224
California
California psychologist - Stress and anxiety
See online therapy options- CBT focused
- Trauma care
- Practical skills
About Monica
Dr. Monica Kelson is a California psychologist with 33 years of professional experience. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, depression, grief, career concerns, life changes, and compassion fatigue. She works in a direct, practical way to address the problems clients bring to sessions.
She focuses on noticing unhelpful thoughts and habits, then trying different ways to respond. Sessions typically involve talking through recent events, identifying patterns, and practicing small behavioral experiments between meetings. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside attachment-focused ideas, DBT skills, and EMDR when appropriate.
Monica aims for a straightforward working style. She listens for what is most pressing, then offers concrete strategies to manage symptoms and improve daily functioning. She also addresses how relationships and past experiences shape current reactions.
Her background includes long experience in clinical settings across California. Over three decades she has supported people through grief, career transitions, and recovery from traumatic events. Clients can expect clear explanations about methods and practical steps to try outside sessions.
To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not accepted.
How her approaches work in online sessions
Dr. Kelson uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and test new ways of thinking and behaving. CBT sessions often focus on concrete skills such as thought records, behavioral experiments, and step-by-step planing to reduce anxiety and improve mood.She also draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to look at how early and current relationships affect reactions and safety in close connections. That approach helps people identify patterns in relationships and practice new interaction habits. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills may be used to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication when overwhelm or strong feelings get in the way of daily life.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will help clients decide which methods fit their goals and preferences, and will adjust techniques as progress is reviewed. This is a collaborative process that balances what is happening now with what someone hopes to change.
Session formats are not specified in the original biography, so confirm the current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-in appointments when needed, and remove travel time. Many people find this helps maintain consistency with homework and skill practice between sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
33+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, depression, grief, career issues, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is practical and structured, focusing on noticing unhelpful thoughts and trying different responses through clear exercises and skill practice.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 33 years of professional work experience in clinical practice in California.
What are her professional credentials and where is she based?
She is a California psychologist with the credential CA Psychologist 13224 and is located in California.
What languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she accept clients outside the United States?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what do they cost?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Select 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.