Ivan Ayala, LMFT, LICSW

Ivan Ayala is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Minnesota. He brings 13 years of clinical experience and offers straightforward, compassionate care for people feeling stuck or overwhelmed.

Ivan uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and client-centered methods to help people change unhelpful patterns. He listens first, then helps set clear, achievable goals. Sessions focus on practical steps you can try between meetings.

He has worked with people facing anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, trauma and abuse, and addiction. He also supports those coping with parenting challenges, career stress, ADHD, sleep problems, and life transitions. Ivan helps clients tackle communication and commitment issues as well as family of origin and blended family difficulties.

Ivan describes his style as warm and relational. He aims to hear each person’s story with respect and to tailor treatment to individual needs. He mixes skills-based tools with conversations about values and meaning to help clients move toward changes they want.

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish, and he accepts international clients. Initial steps include a short matching questionnaire and scheduling through the site so people can connect and begin work on the concerns that brought them here.

Using CBT and ACT Online to Support Change

Ivan often draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify and change thinking and behavior patterns that feed anxiety, depression, and sleep or relationship problems. CBT focuses on practical exercises and homework to test new ways of responding.

He also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which centers on clarifying personal values and taking committed steps toward them while learning to live with difficult thoughts and feelings. ACT is often helpful for coping with chronic stress, grief, and life transitions.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, try out techniques, and adjust the approach based on what works for the person. Clients are invited to share preferences so sessions fit their needs and pace.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video lets people see nonverbal cues and work interactively. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat or text messaging can suit quick questions, ongoing coaching, or moments when writing feels more comfortable. These formats offer flexibility to fit therapy into work, parenting, or travel schedules.