Ramona Zarate , LCPC

Ramona Zarate earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Marquette University in 2007 and returned to Marquette to complete a Master of Arts in Community Counseling with a specialization in substance abuse and co-occurring disorders in 2010. She has provided clinical care in community mental health agencies and hospitals, supporting people facing mental health and substance use challenges as they work to regain stability and well-being.

Her professional experience includes roles as a substance use case manager and as a therapist working with both women and men dealing with depression, anxiety, and addiction. In those roles she partnered with family service agencies and coordinated care with physicians to connect clients to the therapeutic supports that best addressed their needs. She emphasizes an integrated approach that considers physical and mental health together when appropriate.

Ramona takes a strength-based stance in therapy, centering clients when developing individualized treatment plans and focusing on practical steps toward recovery and growth. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) - a state-licensed mental health professional - and a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC) in Illinois, credentials that reflect her training in counseling and substance use treatment. She is committed to respectful, client-focused care and to helping each person identify goals that matter to them.

Client-centered, mindfulness, and motivational support online

Client-Centered Therapy places the client at the center of the work and emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration. In this approach the therapist follows the client's lead to build a plan that reflects individual values and goals, which can help with issues such as depression, low self-esteem, relationship concerns, and life purpose.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches skills to notice thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment and to develop grounding practices that reduce reactivity. It is often helpful for stress, anxiety, panic symptoms, and for cultivating greater self-love and emotional regulation.

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative conversation style designed to resolve ambivalence and support behavior change. It is well suited for people working through addictions or considering lifestyle changes and supports movement toward personally meaningful goals.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Ramona works collaboratively with each person to identify methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques over time based on what proves most helpful.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility for scheduling and make it easier to maintain continuity of care. These options allow clients to access licensed professionals from different locations, fit therapy into busy lives, and use the modalities that feel most comfortable for their situation.