Morgan Monet, M.S: Therapist & Coach
Education and career background:
Bachelor of Arts in Family and Human Development
Southern Virginia University, 2019
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Brigham Young University, 2021
Four+ years and 2,000+ hours of clinical experience as a mental health therapist for low-income, at-risk, and queer folks. I view people as inherently capable, resilient, and good, and enjoy helping them see how they make sense in their context and to use that self-compassion as a springboard for a growth mindset and progress.
Specialties:
If you feel like you don’t belong or are not accepted by those around you for any reason, or if you are just stuck on where to go next in your story, working with me may be for you!
I am especially enthusiastic about working with folks who were raised in high-demand religions (current or ex-Mormons in particular) as well as members of the LGBTQIA+ community. I have seen how these experiences (whether isolated or intersecting) can lead to thwarted belongingness, and often, “delayed” personal identity development. When folks gain the freedom to explore their values and beliefs without restriction from religious or societal expectations in adulthood, they are able to become congruent inside and out, learn to rely on self-acceptance, and can truly thrive; I am passionate about helping people find this permission to explore, then helping them navigate their explorations in healthy and affirming ways. Accepting and embracing humans of all kinds with warmth and love is a significant part of what I hope to achieve in this world and what I have put much of my energy towards for as long as I can remember.
My publication:
While working towards my therapy degree, I had the privilege of studying the experiences of transgender Mormons through face-to-face interviews and data analysis. I focused on the sample of folks who had chosen to stay in the LDS religion in my analysis and writing because, as an ex-Mormon myself, I felt it was important to push myself to learn about the side of the story that was less immediately understood by me from a lens of curiosity.
Click here to see the full publication:
How I help/theoretical framework:
Narrative exploration (in other words, story-telling) is a major aspect of how I help people get to where they want to go. By more deeply understanding the way that our past experiences and interpretations of those experiences impact us and our perceived abilities today, we are able to challenge limiting beliefs and re-construct our life story in a way that brings joy, empowerment, and fulfillment. Together, we will identify and practice strategies for noticing and challenging harmful narratives in the moment and create a version of your story where you thrive.
I am a trauma-informed therapist who uses evidence-based practices to invite real change and progress. By maintaining a strengths-based approach and guiding clients towards mindfulness and self-compassion, I always aim to provide information and go about sessions in ways that are backed by research.
A large part of my worldview and therapeutic approach has to do with accepting our humanness; attending to our fundamental human needs is crucial for our wellness and development, but severely undervalued and neglected societally. We live in a fast-moving, ever-changing, and demanding world, and I believe people need to give themselves permission to slow down and find ways to prioritize taking care of their human needs first and foremost. Just because technology and the world have changed, does not mean our fundamental needs as humans have. Also, by accepting that imperfection is a natural and beautiful part of being human and allowing ourselves to explore the world freely and openly, without harsh or prescribed expectations, we are able to cope better, feel better, maintain hope in our abilities, and reach goals. Ultimately, by recognizing our humanity, we are better able to see what connects us all and how we, and every other human, belong.
The Human
Who I am/personal background:
I am located in Salt Lake City, UT and have resided in Utah for the last five years; the beauty I get to behold here does not go missed or unappreciated by me. At the same time, I consider myself an east coaster at heart— I was raised in Milford, New Hampshire and my New England upbringing will always be a major part of my story.
I had the unique experience of growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints in a place where strict religiosity was not a part of the predominant culture (picture a weird outgoing “Mormon” kid in a big, strange family in small town New England). As a young adult, leaving the religion I was raised devoutly in from the day I was born taught me a lot about myself, culture, and the world, and it became my mission to openly and loudly accept and support others, no matter how different they were from me. I understand the difficulty of feeling inauthentic or incongruent about aligning with the expectations or assumptions of one’s assigned culture, and feel that it is important to give every human the opportunity to ask themselves what they believe and what feels good, moral, and fulfilling to them, and to show them that they are lovable for being who they are.
I am a queer/pansexual woman (she/her, but any pronouns will do!) who has a deep love, respect, and appreciation for the LGBTQIA+ community.
I recognize that as a cisgender white woman raised in a middle-class family in the United States, I experience inherent levels of privilege. My goal is to use the privileges I experience for good by listening to understand with all those I interact with, and creating spaces where others’ voices are heard and amplified.
I am an optimistic and upbeat person who sees the good in others and wants them to see it, too. I believe that everyone makes sense when you understand their story, and I have the ability to accept and embrace people as they are while also being willing to challenge them because I believe in who they can become. I care about the well-being of our society at-large, and specifically about creating space in it for those who feel ostracized or criticized for harmlessly being who they are. I am a person who stands for what I feel is right and who will always do my best to advocate for and support those who need it, especially when they feel they are too much, not enough, or unnoticed.
Hobbies and interests:
I enjoy and crave spending time connecting with nature and soaking up the sun in any way I can. I am an adventurer through and through and love having fun and exploring the world around me. I’ve learned that life is creation and I don’t need to take things too seriously— we’re here to experience and to feel and enjoy.
Movement helps me get in touch with my humanness and to feel calm and grounded. I love to swim, mountain bike, roller skate, hike, lift weights, rock climb, and dance (especially ecstatically— iykyk). I competed in my first triathlon in 2023 and recently completed another, alongside my awesome parents.
Creativity and appreciation for color/sparkle/all things vibrant and eye-catching are a huge part of my joy and experience here! I love observing and creating art; for me, it’s usually bright and colorful and includes lots of glitter. I also enjoy painting my nails (a meticulous but therapeutic process for me), baking, making “random stuff” (especially when it involves bedazzles or glitter) and wearing art through fashion and makeup (did I mention sparkles?)
I love to read books about philosophy and the human experience. The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz), The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho), The Creative Act: A Way of Being (Rick Rubin), and Everything is Figureoutable (Marie Forleo) have been some of the most influential and empowering for me to date.
As far as media consumption goes, I’m super into anything twisty/dark/psychological/trippy— specifically, in recent years I have come to really enjoy anime (Attack on Titan is my favorite). I’m also a proud cult follower of Twilight and enjoy pop culture “tea.”
I am the second oldest of six kids in my big “mixed Mormon” family, and feel honored to be called sibling, daughter, aunt, and friend by such kind, fun, cool, loving, and intelligent weirdos. :) While it hasn’t always been easy, we have found ways to see and accept each other as we are, even in the face of our differences, and have grown closer together and experienced healing as a result.
I am blessed to share my life with my amazing partner, Taylor, who is kind, supportive, uplifting, patient, strong, insightful, aware, informed, down to earth, and full of love. We are grateful to have the presence of/charge over three sweet animals (two sassy, beautiful cats, Moon and Freddie Mercury, and a loyal, intelligent pup, Orion), who we both adore and who bring so much light to our lives. Having animals around helps me feel connected to nature and attuned to the needs of other creatures, and reminds me to do my best to treat all living things with respect, gentleness and care.
