Dr. Monica Kelson, CA Psychologist 13224

Dr. Monica Kelson is a California licensed psychologist with 33 years of clinical experience. She focuses on practical strategies to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and work-related strain. Dr. Kelson aims to make the first step into therapy feel manageable and respectful of each person’s pace.

She keeps sessions straightforward. People can expect clear conversation about what feels hard right now and simple tools to try between meetings. Her work often addresses low self-esteem, motivation, and the emotional impact of trauma and abuse.

Dr. Kelson uses approaches that match the concern and the person. She draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and build new coping skills. She also integrates attachment-based ideas to look at patterns in relationships and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotional regulation.

Sessions are a chance to talk without judgment and to set small, achievable goals. The focus is on what will help in day-to-day life, such as reducing overwhelming worry, improving mood, or navigating a career shift.

She works with people who need steady, experienced guidance through difficult life changes and compassion fatigue. Conversations are practical, empathetic, and directed toward usable steps. Dr. Kelson encourages anyone feeling stuck to consider starting the matching process and scheduling a first appointment.

Approaches you can use in online sessions

Dr. Kelson combines methods that focus on thoughts, relationships, and emotional skills. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with more useful ones while building practical coping strategies for anxiety and depression. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early and current relationship patterns influence feelings and behavior, useful for shifting recurring interaction patterns and improving emotional connection. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness.

Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences, try strategies that fit those goals, and adjust the plan over time. This makes therapy feel tailored rather than one-size-fits-all.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to match different needs. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or during a short break. Live chat and text messaging offer brief check-ins, written coaching, and more flexible timing. These options help make ongoing work possible when schedules, travel, or daily life would otherwise get in the way.