About Sergio
Rev. Sergio Ayala brings ten years of clinical experience and a background in ministry to his counseling work. He holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Divinity, and is licensed as an LCPC in Illinois and an LMHC in Iowa.
He speaks English and Spanish and blends practical care with thoughtful listening. He helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and the aftermath of trauma or abuse.
Background and approach
He also supports those dealing with addictions, anger, and difficulties in intimacy or relationships. Sessions focus on clear goals and steady steps forward. His approach centers on the client as the expert in their life.
He uses client-centered methods to build trust and Emotional-Focused Therapy to look at patterns in close relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used when people need concrete tools to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. He also draws on existential and Jungian ideas to help people find meaning and understand deeper patterns in their life story.
This can be useful for those facing major life changes or questions about purpose. Sergio aims for a calm, respectful style. He listens carefully, asks practical questions, and works with each person to set realistic next steps.
His past ministerial practice informs a compassionate stance without centering religious content unless requested.
Approach and online therapy options
He often combines client-centered care with Emotionally-Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so people feel understood and can lead the conversation about their needs. Emotionally-Focused Therapy looks at how emotions and interaction patterns affect close relationships and is useful for intimacy and communication concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy gives clear, practical skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and can help with anxiety, depression, and stress.Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful. Together they try methods and adjust over time so the work fits the client’s life and priorities.
Online sessions can be scheduled by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video calls work well for deeper conversations when visual cues matter. Phone sessions may be easier when bandwidth is limited or for a quick check-in. Live chat and texting let people share thoughts between sessions or use shorter, focused check-ins during busy days. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or travel schedules.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
Also works with
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger management
- Attachment issues
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Compassion fatigue
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dependent personality
- Depression
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family conflicts
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Postpartum depression
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Relationship issues
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Traumatic brain injury
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 10 years
- Licensed
- Iowa, Illinois
- Languages
- English, Spanish