Exploring Life & Business with Carmen Montenegro-Sis of Revive Life Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmen Montenegro-Sis.

Hi Carmen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I was a kid, I remember being highly empathetic, which came naturally to me, and although I didn’t realize it then, I was an old soul. I was raised Christian and grew up in an immigrant family (Mexican and Guatemalan). Seeking God’s will for my life was instilled in me early on. During my high school years, I experienced what I call an inner knowing that I should pursue a career in Psychology.

I am grateful that I got the opportunity to go to college straight from high school and become the first college graduate in my family. When I heard that some therapists went into private practice during grad school, I didn’t think I had it in me to be an entrepreneur. Throughout the years, I worked in several settings, and then I started to feel as if I had outgrown my workspaces and that there had to be something more. After praying about it and discussing this route with my husband, I knew it was time. In 2020, I opened up my private practice, mainly providing telehealth, and last August, I got my very own office in Glendora.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has had ups and downs. Being a first college graduate was a blessing and a challenge. Although it was a privilege to attend college, I lacked emotional support and didn’t have many role models. Grad school didn’t teach me about the business side of running a practice. During my early years as a therapist, I also experienced burnout to the point that I wanted to quit.

Entrepreneurship forced me to sit with and work through my fears, build uncertainty tolerance, and expand my mindset. As trees grow when planted in the appropriate environment, I also learned how to equip myself. I allowed myself to build the team I needed to flourish. I’ve been willing to invest in my business through business coaching and continuing education to enhance my clinical skills and grow personally. I am a lifelong student.

We’ve been impressed with Revive Life Counseling, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I specialize in working with therapists and helping professionals who struggle with burnout and trauma. I’m EMDR certified and pursuing advanced training to become a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). I also offer Christian Counseling and am IFS-informed.

What sets me apart from others is that being a therapist is more than a profession to me; it is a calling. It’s so fulfilling to be able to hold space for people and witness the transformation that happens throughout the course of therapy. I’m passionate about helping my clients achieve more profound healing.

Regarding my brand, I’m proud of being able to walk the talk when doing my healing work. I understand that I can’t take others farther than I have gone. I deeply care about this work and aspire to serve my clients excellently. I know how hard it is for therapists to find a therapist for themselves. I intentionally create an environment where my clients can take their professional hats off and be tended to.

Many therapists are used to caregiving, and sometimes it can be challenging to be on the receiving end. Therapy with me is nurturing, depth-oriented, and energetically attuned.

What does success mean to you?
I’ve been grappling with the answer to this question most recently. The message we get from our culture is that a person’s wealth defines success. That can be a very narrow way to define success. As a Christian, I’m learning that God defines success by how well I am serving Him, seeking His will, and the ability to steward the resources/abilities/gifts He has given me. I’m still on the journey as we are all a work in progress.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.revivelifecounseling.com

Image Credits
Ester Nguyen Photography & Moises Villarreal