ONLINE INDIVIDUAL AND COUPLES THERAPY SERVICES
About Buford Therapy
Learn More About Monica & Her Services
Welcome to My Virtual Practice
My approach to therapy is centered around you—your story, your patterns, and your goals. Every session is a collaboration: I bring my clinical expertise, and you bring the wisdom of your own experience.
​
Over the years, I’ve developed a deep passion for working with couples and adults. I help couples understand and interrupt the cycles that keep them feeling disconnected, even though the love is still there. We’ll strengthen the foundation of friendship, foster teamwork, and rebuild emotional safety using Gottman Method couples therapy and other research-based tools. I work with individuals navigate communication challenges and emotional disconnection in their relationships.
Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, I’ve called California home since 2002, living in cities like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. I met my husband in 2010 at UCLA, and together we have two young daughters (both under five) and a playful white cat named Frank Frank (or Franklin, when he’s feeling formal). Outside of therapy, I enjoy reading, time with family, and exploring the outdoors through hiking.
How I Work with Couples & Adults
Even thoughtful, loving people can find themselves stuck in patterns they don’t fully understand. I help individuals and couples uncover what’s happening between them and rebuild connection that feels genuine and lasting.
​
My approach is structured yet flexible, meeting you—whether as an individual or a couple—right where you are. Many clients come in feeling they’ve tried everything: the books, the talks, even therapy, but the same patterns keep resurfacing. I help you slow down, uncover what’s happening beneath the surface, and use research-based tools from CBT and the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy to create meaningful, lasting change.
​
Each session, we’ll clarify your goals, focus on what matters most, and leave you with clear insight or practical next steps. For couples, there’s often a teaching element as we build new communication skills and emotional safety. For individuals, we’ll explore relational patterns, self-doubt, or quiet disconnection—even when life looks fine on paper—so you can move forward with more clarity and confidence.
My Personal Experience with Therapy
I had my first therapist when I was about nine years old, and I still remember her name, her warmth, and most of all, how she made me feel. Over the years, I’ve worked with different therapists during various stages of my life, and those experiences have shaped my deep appreciation for what it means to feel truly seen, safe, and supported.
​
I’ve also known what it’s like to feel misunderstood or judged in therapy—especially when opening up about things that were hard to share. Those moments taught me how powerful empathy and safety can be, and how much courage it takes to be vulnerable.
​
These experiences guide me every day. I strive to be the kind of therapist I once needed most—attuned, nonjudgmental, and fully present. I never take for granted the privilege of being invited into someone’s life and trusted with their story. It would be an honor to support you as you grow, heal, and reconnect with the parts of yourself and your relationships that matter most.
Training & Education
License and Certification
-
California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS): Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #109798 Verify License
-
Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (Learn more about certification)
Educational Background
-
Bachelor of Arts from UCLA with a major in Psychology and a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology
-
Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from USC
​
Trainings
-
Completed the Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
-
Completed extensive training in the Grief Recovery Method
-
Completed training in TEAM-CBT (Level 1)