About Monica

I am Monica Stoker, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a private practice in Santa Barbara, California as well as an online practice throughout the state of California.

Therapy is an opportunity for my clients to learn about their individual emotions, hurts and hopes. Also, my clients learn to communicate in deeper and more meaningful ways which creates stronger emotional bonds and greater individual and relationship satisfaction.

I work with individuals on a wide variety of issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and grief and loss.  My intention is to help my clients integrate counseling therapy along with principles of hope. Working with couples, I focus on all stages of relationship including premarital counseling, couples looking for deeper connection or in crisis and those considering or in the process of separating.

In therapy, I help my clients develop a deepened awareness of who they are, their values, beliefs, strengths and blind spots and how these qualities impact their day to day choices and responses. Through this process my clients develop greater self-compassion and self-acceptance. This self-knowledge gives them the strength and freedom to create a life aligned with their true self. 

I have been told that I am a warm, direct and intuitive counselor. I utilize a combination of a strengths-based and solution-focused therapies. I help my clients reach long-term health when we identify and resolve the emotional, mental, spiritual, relational, and physical root causes of the pain in their lives, while attending to the immediate concerns.

Asking for support can be difficult, but it is also the first step on your path toward a better life. In my work as a therapist, it is truly an honor, and one I do not take lightly, to hold space for my clients in times of healing, growth and change. My hope is that you find purpose in life, with the past reconciled, the pain resolved, and the perspectives regarding yourself, others, and God restored.

Background and Credentials

My greatest accomplishment is learning, growing and having fun in my 36 year marriage with my husband. Also, I learned the most through parenting my three children. Now, I find so much satisfaction in my relationships with my adult children, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren. 

I have lived in Michigan, Washington, DC, Florida, North Carolina, Hawaii and California. Prior to becoming a therapist I worked in the financial world as an investment advisor with Merrill Lynch. I enjoyed getting to know my clients and quickly learned I enjoyed hearing their stories about their hopes, dreams and hurts  more than the financial perspective. 

Wanting to include a faith tradition in the healing process, I attended seminary to learn both the traditional psychological counseling practices as well as a broad faith based  perspective. 

After graduate school for counseling, I worked with students needing mental health care in an inner-city school, helped families and soldiers (US ARMY) prepare and return from deployment and provided counseling at a multi cultural/faith agency.

For fun, I enjoy travel with my family, e-bikes, conversation at dinner, beach time with my dog Lucy and quiet time to read and reflect.