About Monique
Monique’s story
A psychotherapist since 1980, a teacher of clinicians, and someone who loves bringing people together—in a therapy room, a training, or out in the wild.
“I love to create experiences for people to connect with their authentic Self. I love to be in and create community. I delight in connecting with people and connecting people with each other for their mutual growth and success. I am passionate about sharing my love of the wilderness and of silence in the Mindfulness Retreats I facilitate. More recently it has been my privilege to co-lead journeys to South America to work with Shamans and indigenous medicine people to learn from them and to share those healing practices with the people who join me.”
Monique
She also likes thinking outside the box, and helps people and organizations create new programs and services.
Where she comes from
A life in many places
Monique was born in France, grew up in Central America, and has lived in many different states and countries. Moving so often was hard at the time, but it gave her a feel for different cultures, backgrounds and spiritual traditions. She says that understanding helps her put each person’s background and way of seeing the world into context.
Before becoming a psychotherapist, she was an editor of financial research publications, a security analyst, a translator, an office manager for a community action group, and a program director at a community center. She credits those jobs with giving her a wider lens for understanding the people she works with.
After many years in New York City, she now lives and works in Syracuse, in upstate New York.
Her practice
Four decades of practice
Monique has been in private practice since 1980, working with individuals and couples, and has focused on trauma throughout that time. For 18 years she was a staff counselor at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies.
In the early 1980s she created the first Rape Crisis Center in Westchester, New York, and developed programs for people living with HIV and AIDS and their families, for teenage mothers (combining parenting skills with GED preparation), and for high school students doing community service.
For about 15 years she has also worked with people seeking asylum in the United States: interviewing them, writing psychological affidavits and occasionally testifying in court.
How she trained
Ways of working she has learned
Over the decades, Monique has come to honor both ancient practices and contemporary Western models of psychotherapy.
Psychoanalysis and Gestalt
Her original training.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Certified.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and the Comprehensive Resource Model
Proficient.
Past Life Regression
Certified.
Reiki and shamanic practices and ceremonies
Certified.
Meditation and mindfulness
A student of meditation for more than 20 years.
Service & teaching
Leadership and teaching
Aldea Counseling Services
Former Director.
Internal Family Systems Association
Former president.
Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, Trauma Studies Program
Executive committee member; facilitated the program’s process group and supervised candidates.
Association for Spirituality & Psychotherapy
Former Board member.
New York State Coalition Against Sexual Abuse
Former Board member.
Universities, conferences and retreat centers
Has taught in several universities, and led workshops and trainings at the Omega Institute, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health and the New York Open Center.
I’d love to hear from you.
A short note about what you’re looking for is a good place to start.