Sandra Monarrez
LSW
Child Therapist
My area of specialization is working with children and adolescents. Depending on the client’s needs, I may incorporate elements of Play Therapy, which often includes art, games, toys, and role-playing, as well as traditional talk therapy to provide emotional support. With child therapy, parental involvement is vital, so I also collaborate with parents/caregivers when appropriate, offering psychoeducation when needed and to discuss progress. As with therapy for adults, much of the work will not only occur in sessions, but also at home, which is why parental collaboration is so beneficial to progress.
I earned my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) with a double major in Psychology from Grand Valley State University. During that time, I volunteered at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, a cancer support community for individuals and families impacted by cancer or loss. I primarily worked with children in the youth program, offering emotional support and teaching coping skills. It was this experience that played a vital role in my desire to work with children professionally. I also completed an internship at Bethany Christian Services in the counseling department. There, I was introduced to various therapy modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
After graduating and spending time in Michigan, I moved back to Illinois to pursue my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Loyola University Chicago, where I studied on the advanced Clinical Practice Track. I completed an internship at The Douglas Center, a day program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There, I gained case management experience and had the opportunity to strengthen my clinical skills by leading therapeutic groups.
Top Specialties
Child
Adolescent
Teen
Young Adult
Expertise
Adjustment
Anxiety
Behavior issues
Communication
Coping Skills
Depression
Emotional Disturbance
Grief
Life Transitions
Peer issues
Relationship issues
School Refusal
Self-Esteem
Separation
Stress
If someone was to ask you what they should know before going - what would you tell them?
I would say that therapy and progress look different for every single person, and that is okay. Showing up to sessions means we’re already off to a good start!
Fun Fact
I have a big sweet tooth and my favorite ice cream I’ve ever gotten was from Treats On the Beach in New Smyrna Beach, FL. I’ve also worked at a bakery, and this didn’t cure my sweet tooth at all.
If you were an emoji (or series of emoji's), which one(s)?
🥹👟🪻🏞️🍦🏖️☕️🐾🎄