Ivan Ayala, LMFT, LICSW

Ivan Ayala is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Minnesota. He brings 13 years of hands-on experience helping people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, and substance use challenges. He speaks English and Spanish and works with a range of life transitions, including aging and geriatric issues. His approach is warm and relational. He listens to each person’s story with respect and compassion, and adapts conversations to what matters most to the individual. Sessions focus on practical steps people can try between meetings alongside deeper conversation about patterns and values. Ivan uses a mix of approaches to meet different needs. He draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and on acceptance and commitment strategies to clarify values and make actionable changes. Mindfulness and narrative techniques are used to build awareness and reframe difficult experiences. He has long experience supporting people facing grief, trauma, parenting strain, LGBT concerns, work stress, and challenges with sleep, self-esteem, or focus. He also helps with communication problems, blended family dynamics, and recovery from domestic violence or addiction. Ivan emphasizes a collaborative plan. Goals, homework, and pacing are set together so therapy fits daily life. To begin, clients complete a brief matching questionnaire and schedule sessions according to availability.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify what matters to them and take small steps toward those values. Online sessions can use ACT exercises to set goals and plan practical changes between meetings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. In a virtual conversation CBT techniques can be taught and practiced, then reviewed in follow-up sessions to track progress. Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose which methods to try based on goals, strengths, and preferences. This is an ongoing conversation and methods can shift as needs change. The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online therapy easier to fit into a busy day, since it can reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Others appreciate the chance to work from wherever they are comfortable, or to use phone sessions when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Talk with the therapist about what scheduling and session length will work best for everyday life.