Therapist profile
Ivan Ayala, LMFT, LICSW
LMFT and LICSW - Family and relationship concerns
Continue with IvanAbout
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness techniques
About Ivan
Ivan Ayala is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Minnesota with 13 years of clinical experience. He works with adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, parenting pressures, grief, addiction, trauma, and issues around intimacy and self-esteem. He also addresses LGBT concerns, career change, ADHD, and other life transitions.
Ivan favors clear, relational work in sessions. He listens for the story under the problem and helps people notice patterns that keep them stuck. Conversations tend to focus on practical steps, new perspectives, and ways to shift responses to difficult feelings.
His approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive behavioral ideas, and client-centered principles. He uses mindfulness exercises and motivational interviewing to help people find what matters and take small, steady actions. Narrative techniques are used to reframe recurring themes from family of origin or past hurts.
Parents and adults concerned about family dynamics or blended households will find him familiar with fatherhood issues, communication problems, codependency, divorce and separation, and caregiving for aging relatives. He also supports people dealing with domestic violence effects and substance use challenges.
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish. Ivan works with people across different life stages who want clear, practical tools and conversational therapy that connects personal values to everyday choices.
How sessions work
How ACT, CBT and client-centered work online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their personal values and take committed actions even when difficult feelings are present. It suits issues like anxiety, depression, and relationship stress where motivation and meaningful direction are needed. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on recognizing unhelpful thoughts and testing them with concrete behavioral experiments. It is useful for anxiety, sleep problems, addictions, and managing low mood. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental conversation that centers the person's experience and helps them find their own solutions.Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to identify which methods fit a person's goals and daily life. He adapts techniques over time based on what is helpful and what feels doable for the client.
Confirm current session formats before booking, as the profile does not list specific delivery methods. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy routine, allow quieter check-ins that don't require long travel, or offer options that use less bandwidth when video is difficult. These practical benefits can help people keep steady momentum between sessions while pursuing concrete changes at home and in relationships.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Minnesota
Languages
English, Spanish
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, parenting pressures, addiction, trauma, grief, intimacy issues, and related family concerns.
What is his therapeutic style like?
He uses a relational, conversational approach that focuses on practical steps, values, and noticing patterns that keep problems repeating.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 13 years of experience as a practicing psychotherapist in Minnesota.
What are his credentials and where does he practice?
He holds MN LMFT and MN LICSW credentials and practices in Minnesota.
Can I book sessions in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Does he work with clients outside the United States?
He accepts international clients; confirm any cross-border details when you start the intake process.
How are sessions scheduled and what formats are used?
Confirm current session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific delivery methods.
How are fees handled and how do I begin?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To start, select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.