About

Did you ever wish there had been a class in school about dating and relationships?  I never did because the idea had never occurred to me.  Now, after becoming a therapist and learning what it means to be in a healthy relationship I wish there had been.  It would have been nice to have a relationship coach to share my personal insecurities, worries, doubts, and uncertainties with throughout the week.  It would have been helpful to have someone walk me through how to handle a breakup gracefully.  I loved high school and college, but I did not love the relationship angst I felt every time I met a guy I thought was cute and potential boyfriend material.  Waiting for him to call, wondering if he liked me, it was stressful and uncomfortable.

Then I became a counselor.  I was working with women that were in domestic violence relationships.  I learned about the power and control wheel, and how relationships can be unhealthy through the use of intimidation, emotional abuse, isolation, and minimization, denial and blaming of personal behaviors.  I also learned about the equality wheel and what it means to be in a relationship based on equality through respect, honesty, negotiation, trust, and non-threatening behaviors.  I learned what to do to tolerate my own feelings of sadness and disappointment when a relationship did not work out.  I learned how to set boundaries for myself and be assertive with others.  I took the time to get to know me and be comfortable with myself.

As I facilitated a group for women about setting boundaries, being assertive, learning about their anger, and what it means to be in a healthy relationship I realized that there is a need for this type of education for everyone.  Not just for women, but also men, and not just for adults, but teenagers as well.  I wanted to help people in need, not only with mental health disorders but also individuals that are lacking in the skills to deal with the everyday stressors of life and relationships.  With that in mind, I began my private practice, Harmonious Happenings.  I want to help you become the true self that you are proud of waking up to every day and learn how to have interactions with people in your life that feel harmonious and not contentious and incongruent with that true self.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Nebraska.  I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and dual Masters Degrees in Social Work and Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  I completed my provisional licensure hours at the YWCA Omaha (now WCA) as a counselor for women who experienced Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and also have experience as a facilitator for a Batterer’s Intervention Program (BIP).

I take the time to listen and hear your story.  My job is not to judge or tell you what to do you.  I will empower you to find the answer that bring you the harmony you desire in your life.  Call me today.

Monica Mora-Handlos, LCSW