Monrovia Van Hoose, LCSW-S, CGPMonrovia Van Hoose, LCSW-S, CGP
I hold an MSSW from Columbia University, and was the first social work intern at the Harvey Milk High School – the first school in the US created as a safe learning environment for LGBTQ students. I was the Clinical Director of Out Youth Austin from 2008 to 2012. In 2011 I began offering private practice psychotherapy, and have been doing it full time since 2012. In 2023, I became a Certified Group Psychotherapist and a Clinical Social Work Supervisor for those seeking an LCSW in Texas. For undergraduate education, I attended the University of Texas at Austin where I earned a BA in English Literature & Cultural Anthropology.
My specialties include attachment, family of origin work, identity exploration, gender identity, sexuality, adolescents, young adults, and LGBTQ issues. I work frequently with Depression, Anxiety, low self-esteem, Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, behavioral issues, self-harm, relationship issues, boundaries, and phase of life changes.
My therapeutic modalities include Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Modern Analytic, Object Relations, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness techniques.
Influential clinicians include Yalom, Winnicot, Linehan, Nancy McWilliams, Louis Ormont, Jung, and yes, Freud.
I am currently providing individual, family, relationship, and group therapy and welcome clients of all backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
My therapeutic perspective is informed by my background as an artist, feminist, activist, parent, and sex positive individual. Personal interests that inform my therapeutic style include philosophy, existentialism, music, pop culture, physical health, personal responsibility, humor, and literature.
Below are selections of my professional experience, with an emphasis on my clinical & therapeutic work.
Out Youth Austin
During my tenure as the Clinical Director of Out Youth, I provided individual, family, and group therapy to LGBTQ adolescents and young adults for a variety of issues, including sexual orientation, gender identity, depression, anxiety, suicidality, academic struggles, self-harm, romantic relationships, family relationships, HIV testing & education, and more.
Functional Family Therapy, Children’s Aid Society
After graduate school I worked as a Functional Family Therapist for the Children’s Aid Society. We provided home-visit based family therapy to juvenile-justice involved adolescents and their families living in Manhattan and The Bronx. I worked with the probation officers overseeing each case, advocating for alternatives to incarceration for adolescents. I received ongoing training and clinical supervision in the evidence-based FFT model, aspects of which continue to inform my approach to family therapy.
Planned Parenthood, Southeast Pennsylvania
From 2002-2005 I had many edifying experiences as the Assistant Manager of a reproductive health clinic in downtown Philadelphia . In addition to performing all the duties of a Reproductive Health Center Assistant (see below), I supervised and assisted in multiple functions of the clinic. My combined years with Planned Parenthood in Philly and Austin helped me discover my ultimate professional calling as a social worker and psychotherapist.
Planned Parenthood, Texas Capitol Region
My first professional job after college was as a Reproductive Health Center Assistant for Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capitol Region. This position was a wonderful opportunity for me to apply my passion for activism, and to see that I could support myself doing something I truly believed in. I was able to get a taste for counseling (albeit short term), and received training in a number of areas, including domestic violence, sexual assault, HIV prevention/safer sex practices, birth control, abortion, Medicaid, health insurance, cultural sensitivity, and even the political process.
I am an active member of the National Association of Social Workers, the American Group Psychotherapy Association, and a Board Member at the Austin Group Psychotherapy Society .