Gabrielle Montez MA, LCMHC
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Biblical Theology from Continental Theological Seminary in Belgium where I graduated with honors in 2010. It was through my time spent in seminary that I felt called to minister to people in a different capacity by working with individuals to heal the soul wounds caused by the world that we live in and its effects. With this dream, I then went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA in the Spring of 2017. Upon graduation I moved back to my hometown in North Carolina to gain experience in the field of mental health.
My clinical experience in mental health counseling includes working with children, adolescents, and adults in both the individual and group setting. I have worked with clients in areas of intake, psychological testing and assessment, managing depression and anxiety, PTSD and trauma, stress management, life skills coaching, issues of parenting and family counseling, and de-escalation techniques. I began my work with children, ages 9-13, primarily in the group setting, with a focus on both life skills, and social skills for children who carry mental health diagnosis. I went on to work with adults diagnosed with mental disorders in long-term residential treatment for a year. Following my work in long-term residential I worked as a Qualified Professional in a group home for adolescent boys diagnosed with co-occurring disorders for nearly a year. Following my work in the group home I provided intensive in-home services for children ages 5-18 and their families using the Family Centered Treatment model over the last 2 years.
I am currently working in an outpatient capacity providing comprehensive clinical assessments and outpatient counseling for adults, children, adolescents, and families. I utilize a person-centered view of individuals as they are inherently capable of growth and change. It is also important to note that a person-centered approach allows for treatment to be client led. It is my privilege to partner with individuals on their journey of mental wellness and to witness these individuals make their goals a reality. I also believe in taking a holistic approach to mental wellness that addresses the entirety of an individual, mind, body, and spirit. A holistic approach also considers the biological, psychological, spiritual, and social aspects of a person to include the family system they are born into and as such these are all elements that we will reflect on in our work together. I also take a trauma- informed approach to counseling which means that I believe adverse experiences in the past have an influence on how an individual navigates their present circumstances. In particular, an individual’s beliefs about themselves and the world, and the values they place on each, are crucial to any discussion related to behavioral change. I am thrilled to now be able to enhance my skillset and interventions by incorporating animals into my therapeutic practice. I have long believed that animals are often more aware of how we are feeling than we are aware of. Research has shown that positive interactions with animals are often beneficial for the mind and body by way of reducing stress and contributing to a more balanced emotional state. Plus, it is FUN!
I spend my free time hanging out with my husband and our two fur babies. You will see me at my most content taking a walk in nature, soaking up the sun, or hanging out in the barn.