Marla Monk, LCSW, LISW-CP - Therapist in South Carolina

About Marla

Marla Monk is a licensed clinical social worker who brings a practical, people-first approach to therapy. She uses straightforward methods to help clients manage stress, anxiety, grief, relationship strain, parenting concerns, and trauma-related issues. Marla holds licenses as an LCSW and an LISW-CP and practices from South Carolina.

She has five years of documented clinical experience and communicates in English. Her style centers on listening first and then building hands-on strategies together.

Background and approach

She blends Client-Centered techniques with cognitive behavioral tools to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try small changes. She also draws on emotion-focused and relationship-centered work when couples or family patterns are part of the problem. Marla has worked with people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, military service issues, and caregiving stress.

She also supports concerns like parenting, adoption and foster care topics, compassion fatigue, and career-related stress. This background shapes how she approaches safety, boundaries, and practical coping skills in sessions. Sessions may include skill practice, communication coaching, and guided conversations about painful memories.

She uses evidence-informed tools such as CBT, DBT strategies, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and the Gottman Method when couples work is appropriate. Marla aims to make therapy concrete and doable for busy lives. People who contact her start with a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions that fit their routines.

The process is collaborative, with goals set together and adjusted over time.

How Marla’s Approaches Work Online

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting relationship. In practice this means the therapist follows the client's lead, reflects what is said, and works together to set achievable goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts affect feelings and behavior and teaches practical steps to change unhelpful patterns. Those techniques are useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Emotionally-Focused Therapy, used when relationships are involved, helps partners notice and shift interaction patterns that cause distance or conflict.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences during early sessions and suggest which methods to try first. Plans are adjusted based on what helps most, so clients have a say in how therapy proceeds.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video lets people work face-to-face from home, while phone and messaging offer more flexibility for busy days. These options make it easier to fit sessions into family schedules and to continue care during life changes.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Marla address?

She works with a range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy difficulties, parenting, grief, trauma and abuse, and LGBT related concerns.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is practical and client-centered. She listens first, then teaches skills from CBT and DBT and uses emotion-focused techniques for relationship work.

What experience does she bring to sessions?

She has five years of documented clinical experience and a history of work with people affected by trauma, domestic violence, sexual assault, and military-related issues.

Where is Marla licensed and based?

She is licensed in South Carolina with credentials LCSW and LISW-CP and practices from that state.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

How are sessions conducted?

Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How are session costs handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 5 years
Licensed: California, South Carolina, Virginia
Languages: English

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