Monica Dada (Barham)

Monica Dada (Barham) is a licensed clinical social worker with two decades of experience helping people navigate stressful life changes. She focuses on everyday struggles like anxiety, depression, relationship strain, parenting questions, addiction concerns, and coping with major transitions.

She keeps sessions direct and practical. Monica listens first, then helps clients set clear goals and small steps they can try between meetings. She draws from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and client-centered methods to match what each person needs.

Monica has worked with people facing chronic illness, caregiver stress, blended family issues, and grief. Her background includes long-term clinical practice in Maryland and steady experience addressing identity questions, gender dysphoria concerns, and LGBT-related issues alongside mood and behavioral concerns.

In the room she emphasizes straightforward communication and problem-solving. Monica helps clients notice patterns that get in the way and build practical skills for daily life, like managing anger, improving sleep, or reducing avoidance that fuels anxiety.

She also uses motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques when clients want short-term, goal-oriented work. Those tools are useful for issues such as substance use, career decisions, eating and body-image struggles, and adjusting to separation or divorce.

People who choose her often want a respectful, collaborative process and concrete strategies they can practice between sessions. Monica supports each client in planning realistic next steps and tracking progress over time.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them. It focuses on identifying values and taking small, workable steps toward a meaningful life, which is useful for anxiety, depression, and major life changes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) examines the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It teaches practical tools such as thought records, activity planning, and exposure exercises to reduce avoidance and improve mood or anxiety symptoms.

Client-Centered Therapy centers the client's experience and priorities. The therapist offers empathic listening and reflection to help people clarify goals and build self-directed change. This approach supports identity questions, relationship concerns, and grief work.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Monica will collaborate with each person to choose or combine methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She reviews what is working and adjusts plans as therapy progresses.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce travel time. It can also let people work on real-life problems that come up between sessions and practice skills in daily settings.