Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica.
Hi Monica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was young, I dreamed of going to college and building a meaningful career that allowed me to help and connect with others. As the first in my family to earn a graduate degree, that dream carried deep meaning. My path wasn’t straightforward. I studied dental hygiene while pursuing a graduate degree in counseling, balancing two very different worlds. For a time, I focused on dentistry, but eventually, I shifted my focus to what I felt was my calling and I turned my attention to my counseling career. Not only did I immediately feel passionate about this work, shifting my attention to this career path allowed me to feel truly aligned with who I am. In 2022, I begin working at a nonprofit supporting survivors of sexual violence. Witnessing such courage and resilience every day reminded me of why I chose this path. Through training in EMDR, CPT, and somatic approaches, I learned that healing takes many forms and that creativity can be a powerful part of it. I later started an expressive arts group that brought color, movement and connection into the therapy. Today, I work in a group practice, my approach is to help client’s reconnect with their minds and bodies, rebuild self-trust, and find their voice. I’ve come to believe that healing isn’t just about the mind, it lives in the body too.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been an easy road. I’ve had to overcome self-doubt and learn how to navigate things on my own, especially coming from a family that wasn’t familiar with the college process. It was tough at times, but those challenges taught me resilience, self-trust, independence, and confidence in finding my own path.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a therapist that helps people who are healing from trauma, managing anxiety or self-doubt, or wanting to learn more about themselves or their emotions. I work with individuals who experience performance anxiety, and the pressure to excel and those trying to break free from people-pleasing patterns. Many of my clients come to therapy not just to heal, but to grow, to feel more balanced, grounded, and connected to who they truly are. I’m trained in EMDR, CPT, and currently completing my Somatic Experiencing training. Over time, I’ve learned that lasting changes happens when we bring both the mind and body into the healing process. Emotions and trauma don’t just live in our thoughts, they’re held in the body, quietly shaping how we move through life. My approach goes beyond traditional talk therapy. I integrate mind-body and expressive techniques that help clients slow down, reconnect, and build self trust. Together, we work on shifting old pattens and creating space for authenticity, calm, and desired change. Therapist isn’t just about coping, it’s about having space to truly be.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve learned that growth comes from trusting yourself, embracing change, and accepting uncertainty. Fulfillment isn’t always about comfort, it’s about alignment with your values, purpose, and willingness to navigate life without always having all the answers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/monica-najarro-dallas-tx/1554066
- Instagram: slowdown.therapist
Image Credits
The picture of me sitting down w/a book: credit to Danica Harris
