Rev. Sergio Ayala

Rev. Sergio Ayala brings a decade of clinical experience to his work in Illinois. He holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Divinity, and he is licensed as an LCPC and an LMHC. He draws on long experience in ministerial and pastoral practice to offer calm, steady support at difficult times.

Sergio focuses on practical help for problems such as stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, grief, trauma, and caregiver strain. He listens first, and helps people name what matters most to them. Sessions emphasize the client’s strengths and personal goals rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

His approach mixes conversation and tools. He uses client-centered work to follow each person’s lead, cognitive behavioral techniques to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and emotionally-focused ideas to strengthen meaningful connections. He also integrates existential and Jungian perspectives when exploring purpose, meaning, and personal narrative.

Sergio works with people facing life transitions, relationship and intimacy concerns, anger, career stress, and compassion fatigue. He also attends to issues like abandonment, adoption and foster care histories, chronic health challenges, and caregiving demands.

He speaks English and Spanish, and is available to work with international clients. To begin, people select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.

How his approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the client’s lead, helping people feel understood as they work through grief, stress, or relationship concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers concrete strategies to notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be especially useful for anxiety, depression, and addictions. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) concentrates on identifying and shifting emotional responses to improve important relationships and address intimacy-related struggles.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Sergio will collaborate with each person to decide whether to lean into listening-based sessions, CBT tools, EFT-style emotional work, or a blend. The plan is shaped by the client’s needs, goals, and comfort level rather than a pre-set method.

The original profile does not list specific online formats, so please confirm current session options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people work with a bilingual clinician across time zones when international support is useful. Talk with the therapist about what will work best for scheduling and session length.