Connect
To Top

Meet Dr. Monica Blied of Faces of Health Wellness Center in Claremont!

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Monica Blied.

Dr. Blied, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up, I had dreams of becoming a famous singer and a doctor. In some way or another, both of those dreams manifested. I am now Dr. Blied – a licensed Clinical Psychologist and the owner of Faces of Health Wellness Center in Claremont, California. I help people living with chronic medical conditions to better adjust to their “new normal” and find a renewed purpose in life. I work with women professionals and creatives who need a little coaching to find their voice, to maintain better boundaries in relationships, and to learn how to walk in their truth. I also provide neurocognitive and psychiatric evaluations for adults and teens who suspect they have ADHD or other mental health concerns. I came into this career in a very round-about way.

My mother is a business owner and the director of Moore’s Daycare and Preparatory School in Los Angeles. I always admired how hard she worked – particularly as a single mother – to provide for my three siblings and me while also providing a nurturing, educational space for children from low-to-no income families. Her heart and her passion drove her success. I wanted to pursue a career driven by my passion and gifting as well. My desire was to become a pediatrician and help provide for the medical needs of children. In college (at Pepperdine University), I studied Biochemistry and was pre-med. I switched during my sophomore year to Intercultural & Health Communication. Following my junior year, I was one of eight young women in the nation chosen to travel with the Ebony Fashion Fair runway modeling group. I left college for one semester and toured around the country performing in high fashion runway shows. After six months, I left and completed my undergraduate degree at Pepperdine and later landed my first job as an Account Manager for a global property damage restoration company.

Somewhere along the way, I decided I wanted to pursue my education further and go into the mental health field. In particular, I wanted to understand how faith and spirituality integrate with mental health and with emotional dis-ease. I was a first-generation college graduate, so pursuing grad school was especially meaningful for me and for my family. During my second year in the Graduate School of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary, I was diagnosed with systemic lupus. This diagnosis stung like an unexpected wet slap in the face. I questioned how God could allow this to happen to me; and, I grew doubt in the strength of my faith as people told me that if I just prayed then I would be healed. Because I prayed and prayed, and God said, “Nope”.

To make a long story just a tad bit shorter, through my study and personal reflection, I was able to dismantle the rigid and harmful beliefs that seeded shame for my diagnosis. I reclaimed my truth and determined: “MY HEALTH IS NOT A MEASURE OF MY FAITH”. This is the message which undergirds my passion for the work I do as a Clinical Psychologist. I am better because of it. I am now able to walk in my passion purposefully and unapologetically. I take this walk one step at a time; sometimes, one breath at a time. I am abundantly grateful to be able to live out my childhood dream of being a doctor. Oh, and as far as my dream of becoming a famous singer? I told you that dream came true too right? And it did! Every time I drive in my car or am sitting alone in my office, I am THE most famous singer in the room. 🙂 To connect with me, please follow me on IG @dr.blied or visit my website: www.drblied.com.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road at all! As I described before, being diagnosed with lupus in my 20s – among so many other points of pain in my life – was more than a notion. Still, I am better because of it all and I have learned how to lean in more to my relationships with God and others.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Faces of Health Wellness Center – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Faces of Health Wellness Center is a black-owned and woman-owned small business in Claremont, California. As the owner and a Clinical Psychologist, I am proud to offer clients a whole-health approach to getting the care they deserve. In addition to evidence-based psychotherapy, I also provide heart rate variability Biofeedback training, chair yoga classes, spirituality/faith integration, mindfulness meditation and diaphragmatic breathing coaching, life coaching, and ADHD and Learning Disorder evaluations (psychodiagnostic and neurocognitive assessment). I believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to care; particularly when you are working with people living with chronic medical conditions such as lupus, MS, TBIs, and fibromyalgia, and/or mental health issues like anxiety, panic disorder, and unipolar and bipolar depression. My clients report that they feel at ease working with me because I am authentic and approachable. I lead with my values (which includes setting boundaries on my time and focus) and try to model that for my clients as well. I accept Medicare and Aetna insurance plans.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am writing a book this year! Be on the lookout for it 🙂

Pricing:

  • Psychotherapy – $200/session ($240 for intake evaluation)
  • Biofeedback session – $165
  • ADHD & Learning Disorders Evaluations – $1800-$3500

Contact Info:

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in