- Years in practice
- 17
- Credentials
- LPCC
- Licensed in
- California
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Grief
- Focus
- Self esteem
About Merry
Merry Walensa is a California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with 17 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and parenting challenges. Merry aims to make first steps toward change feel manageable and supportive.
She uses plain, practical conversations to learn what matters most to each person. Sessions focus on immediate concerns like sleep, anger, substance use, or relationship strain. Merry also helps with career questions, life transitions, and the emotional impact of illness or aging.
Background and approach
Her work blends several approaches so she can match methods to a person’s needs. That can mean learning skills to manage difficult thoughts and emotions, or exploring values and meaning to find direction. She emphasizes listening first, then offers tools people can try between sessions.
Merry says a respectful, nonjudgmental space matters. She makes room for spiritual or existential questions when they come up. People are invited to share worries and test out new ways of handling them.
New clients are asked to begin with a video appointment before moving to phone or chat. Appointments follow a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Practical steps and steady support are central to how she works.
What Merry works with
Everything Merry lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Merry helps people with.
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Depression
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Divorce and separation
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Money and financial issues
- Postpartum depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Visually impaired
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Merry lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Existential Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How her approaches translate to online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on helping people notice what matters to them and take small steps toward those values. It can help with low motivation, life transitions, and persistent worry. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks down thoughts and behaviors into workable parts and teaches practical skills for sleep, anxiety, and mood. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, listening-first relationship where people set the pace and direction of the work.Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Merry works collaboratively to decide which methods fit a person’s goals and preferences. She listens to what is causing the most strain, then suggests options and checks in to see what’s helpful.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions are used for the initial intake and allow face-to-face conversation. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and text messaging can support brief check-ins, skills practice, or extras between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and to keep progress going when life gets hectic.
Questions people ask about Merry
What kinds of concerns does Merry help with?
She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, and parenting issues. Other areas include career challenges, relationship and intimacy concerns, and coping with chronic illness or aging.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is practical and conversational. She listens first, then introduces skills or reflections people can try between sessions.
How much experience does she have?
She has 17 years of professional experience working with a wide range of emotional and life challenges.
Where is she licensed and located?
She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC, licensed in California and practices from that state.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. New clients are asked to book a video appointment first before using phone or chat.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with Merry?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
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