Merry Walensa

Merry Walensa is a California-licensed LPCC with 17 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing grief, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, career difficulties, and the strain of big life changes. Merry aims to create a calm, nonjudgmental space so clients can talk about painful feelings and take practical steps forward.

Her approach blends mindfulness practices with acceptance and commitment ideas and client-centered listening. She also uses cognitive behavioral and dialectical skills when helpful. Sessions often include paying attention to the present moment, noticing unhelpful patterns, and experimenting with small behavior changes.

Merry integrates existential themes and spirituality when clients want that kind of exploration. That means talking about meaning, values, and what matters most to each person. She frames those conversations in everyday language and connects them to real choices and actions.

She works with relationship issues, grief and loss, intimacy concerns, addiction and recovery struggles, chronic pain and illness, parenting stresses, and end-of-life or hospice related concerns. Merry also helps with communication problems, codependency, commitment doubts, and financial stress as they affect daily life.

New clients are asked to start with a video appointment before considering other session options. She encourages people to keep appointments or provide advanced notice when plans change. Merry aims to support and empower people as they take the steps toward a more satisfying life.

How Mindful and Acceptance-Based Work Translates Online

Merry uses mindfulness practices and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas to help people notice thoughts and feelings without getting swept away by them. Mindfulness work focuses on simple attention and breathing exercises and can help with anxiety, stress, sleep, and coping with chronic pain.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes identifying personal values and taking small committed steps toward them. That approach can be useful for depression, low motivation, relationship choices, and feeling stuck. Client-centered therapy means the therapist listens closely and follows the client’s concerns, offering empathy and practical feedback rather than directing the session.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Merry will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences and will adjust techniques as understanding grows. She aims to combine approaches that fit the client’s life and pace.

The original profile asks new clients to begin with a video appointment before any phone or chat options are used. If you want other session formats, confirm current options when booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow a shorter check-in when needed, and reduce travel time so sessions can align with work, caregiving, or medical appointments.