Merry Walensa , LPCC

Merry Walensa is a licensed mental health professional in California with 17 years of clinical experience. She practices as an LPCC - a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - and brings a focus on helping people navigate grief and loss, strengthen motivation and self-esteem, and address career planning or difficulties on the job.

Her work also supports those coping with major life changes, offering integrative approaches that include spirituality and inclusive existential perspectives. Merry blends psychological methods with thoughtful, philosophical inquiry to help clients explore meaning, values, and personal goals.

She cultivates an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be expressed honestly, and she emphasizes empowerment and practical support for people ready to make changes. Seeking a more fulfilling and happier life can feel courageous, and Merry aims to accompany and encourage clients through that process.

For new clients she requests that the first appointment be scheduled as a video session before phone or chat options are used. She also asks that clients make a good-faith effort to keep scheduled appointments and provide advance notice when cancellations are necessary, as a courtesy to the therapeutic process.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Merry Walensa integrates several evidence-informed approaches to tailor care to each person's needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) invites clients to clarify personal values and build psychological flexibility - it can be helpful for people struggling with anxiety, avoidance, or uncertainty. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and nonjudgmental presence, giving clients space to explore feelings and develop self-understanding and confidence. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can support progress with mood, stress, and coping skills.

Merry approaches the choice of method as a collaborative process. She works with clients to determine which techniques fit their goals, preferences, and circumstances, and she adapts strategies over time as progress and needs evolve.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - make it easier to receive ongoing support from licensed professionals without the constraints of travel or scheduling conflicts. These formats offer flexibility for different communication styles and life demands, and Merry incorporates them to help clients stay engaged and move forward with consistent care.