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LMFT, LICSW

Ivan Ayala, LMFT, LICSW

  • Experience13 years
  • LocationMinnesota
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and LGBT
  • Therapy approachesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Client-Centered Therapy
  • LanguagesEnglish and Spanish
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About Ivan

Ivan Ayala is a licensed psychotherapist combining relationship-focused and evidence-informed methods to help clients navigate life transitions and persistent challenges.

Background and approach

Holding both LMFT and LICSW credentials, he draws on 13 years of clinical experience in Minnesota to address concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family difficulties, addiction, grief, intimacy issues, sleep problems, self-esteem, career concerns, coaching needs, and ADHD. He works with individuals, couples, and families and brings a collaborative, respectful stance to each case.

Ivan’s style centers on building a warm therapeutic relationship and tailoring interventions to the person in front of him. He integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with client-centered and motivational interviewing techniques, along with narrative and mindfulness elements when appropriate.

This flexible mix helps him target practical coping skills, values-based change, and improved communication while honoring each client’s story. Clients can expect a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach that emphasizes empowerment and concrete steps toward goals.

Ivan offers services in English and Spanish and accepts international clients, balancing professional training with a human-centered orientation aimed at fostering resilience and meaningful change.

Approach-Focused Online Care with Practical Tools



Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes clarifying personal values and taking committed action toward them while learning to relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings; this approach can be useful for anxiety, depression, life transitions, and motivation difficulties. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms and build practical coping skills, which can help with stress, sleep problems, and mood regulation. Client-Centered Therapy prioritizes an empathic, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship where the therapist supports clients' self-exploration and personal growth, often helping with relationship and identity concerns.

Choosing the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist will work with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences and may combine elements from different methods to fit the individual situation. This ongoing collaboration helps ensure therapy stays responsive and aligned with what the client finds most helpful.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for varied schedules and lifestyles. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care when travel, work, or family life make in-person visits difficult, and they allow licensed professionals to deliver tailored interventions and real-time coaching across distances.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does he address related to attention and daily functioning?
He lists ADHD among focus areas and works with related challenges such as organization, focus, and coping strategies alongside stress and anxiety management.
What therapeutic approaches does he use in sessions?
The practice blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness strategies, and Motivational Interviewing to tailor work to each client's needs.
How much clinical experience informs his practice?
He brings 13 years of experience as a clinical psychotherapist, working with individuals, couples, and families across a broad range of concerns.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is licensed in Minnesota with credentials LMFT and LICSW, holding MN LMFT 2837 and MN LICSW 23335.
Can I work with him if English is not my first language?
He offers services in both English and Spanish and also accepts international clients who are seeking therapy across time zones.
Which session formats are available for online work?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different preferences and schedules.
What should I expect regarding cost and billing?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to schedule with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression

Also works with

AddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameImmigration issuesInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

13+ years

Licensed

Minnesota, Minnesota

Languages

English, Spanish

What Ivan can help with

Ivan Ayala works with clients on stress and anxiety, LGBT, relationship issues, family conflicts, and depression.

Ivan works with individuals, couples, and families with concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, LGBT+ issues, and addiction/chemical dependency.

How Ivan approaches therapy

Ivan's clinical approaches include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Ivan uses cognitive-behavioral, acceptance and commitment, solution-focused, narrative, humanistic and psychodynamic therapy.

Experience and training

Ivan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Minnesota, with 13 years of clinical experience.

Therapy style

Ivan aims to support and empower you.