Therapist profile
Ivan Ayala, LMFT, LICSW
Minnesota
Licensed therapist - relationships and addiction
Continue with IvanWhere Ivan stands
- Credentials
- LMFT, LICSW
- License
- LMFT, Minnesota / 2837; LICSW, Minnesota / 23335
- NPI
- 1629476973
- Experience
- 13 years
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Location
- Minnesota
About
- ACT techniques
- CBT strategies
- Motivational interviewing
About Ivan
Ivan Ayala is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Minnesota with 13 years of clinical experience. He works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, addictions, grief, trauma, and codependency-related patterns. Sessions are held in English and Spanish and he has experience supporting LGBT people and those navigating parenting, career, and life transitions.
He uses a mix of practical talk and structured exercises. Conversations aim to clarify what matters to the client and to develop steps that make daily life more manageable. Expect straightforward reflection, tools drawn from cognitive-behavioral approaches, and attention to personal values when deciding what comes next.
Ivan brings both family systems and individual perspectives into his work. That means looking at how relationships, family history, and current habits interact. He helps people notice patterns such as people-pleasing, difficulty saying no, or losing a sense of self when a partner or family member is in crisis, and then tries options for changing those patterns.
Mindfulness and acceptance-based ideas are used to help manage difficult emotions and anxiety. Motivational interviewing techniques support making and sticking with practical changes, like adjusting boundaries or treatment for substance use. Narrative ideas are used to reconsider personal stories that keep people stuck.
His approach is direct and collaborative. He and the client set goals together and track small, concrete steps. To begin, readers complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule the first session through the site.
How sessions work
How his approaches guide online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on identifying your values and taking steps toward them even when feelings are hard. It helps when someone struggles with people-pleasing or feels stuck in relationship patterns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches small experiments to test unhelpful beliefs and build different habits. Motivational Interviewing supports figuring out what change matters most and increasing commitment to that change through focused conversation.Choosing an approach is collaborative. He will discuss options with the client and try whatever fits best for the person's goals and life circumstances. That might mean combining ACT and CBT techniques, adding mindfulness practices, or using motivational interviewing to support steps toward recovery or boundary-setting.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online session options before booking. Online work can help fit therapy into busy days, allow regular shorter check-ins when needed, or make it easier to attend sessions while traveling or balancing work and family. The therapist will work with you to set a practical schedule and decide which methods suit remote sessions and your goals.
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 problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, addictions, trauma, grief, codependency patterns, and related issues listed in his profile.
How would you describe his therapy style?
His style combines relational talk with practical tools. He uses cognitive-behavioral, acceptance and commitment, narrative, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing approaches.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 13 years of experience working as a clinical psychotherapist in a range of settings with individuals and couples.
What credentials and region does he practice in?
He holds LMFT and LICSW credentials and practices in Minnesota.
Can sessions be done 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 time zone or legal practice questions before scheduling.
How are sessions scheduled and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your 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 you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.