Monica L. Urbaniak is a therapist, trainer and consultant specializing in sexual assault and trauma.
For over eighteen years, Monica has worked with survivors of trauma, helping them heal through therapy and support. Additionally, she dedicates time to training clinicians, advocates, and community members on issues related to sexual violence, including effective treatment practices, principles of trauma-informed survivor-centered care, the impact of trauma on survivors and systems, and social/cultural issues in sexual assault treatment and advocacy.
Drawing upon her experience as a non-profit founder and leader, Monica also consults with and guides organizations on creating shared vision, preventing and healing from organizational trauma, building cultures of care for clients and staff, and the implementation of trauma-informed care policies and practices. Monica is a community advocate and activist for the rights of sexual assault survivors. She has held several leadership positions including an officer for the Dallas County Sexual Assault Coalition, a founding board member of the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center, and a former President of the Board of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault.
In 2014, Monica was awarded The Profiles in Leadership Award at the Southern Methodist University Women’s Symposium for her significant impact on the city of Dallas and on the quality of life for women overall. In 2018, Monica was awarded the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault Vivian Miles Lifetime Achievement Award for her lifetime commitment to ending sexual violence and providing support to survivors. In 2019, Monica was a recipient of the National Sexual Assault Resource Center Visionary Voice Award recognizing the creativity and hard work of individuals around the country who have demonstrated outstanding work to end sexual violence.
Monica holds a Master of Science Degree from New Mexico State University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Board Approved Supervisor.
Associations
- EMDRIA
- AAMFT
- Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
- Dallas County Sexual Assault Coalition