Susan Merletti , LPCC

Susan Merletti is a licensed clinician in California with 39 years of professional experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, cancer and chronic illness, and unresolved trauma. She holds an LPCC - a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor credential - reflecting advanced training in clinical counseling and long-term practice with diverse concerns.

Susan approaches each person as the expert of their own story, helping clients identify and use their existing strengths to move past obstacles that feel overwhelming. She emphasizes courage and compassion in the early steps of seeking change and offers steady, experienced guidance throughout the healing work. Her practice centers on listening carefully, collaborating on realistic goals, and tailoring interventions to the needs and pace of each individual.

Across a long career, Susan has focused on building a therapeutic environment where clients can explore painful histories alongside practical strategies for everyday living. She aims to help clients reclaim a greater sense of wellbeing, connection, and resilience while honoring the personal knowledge and strengths they bring to therapy.

Approaches and Online Care with Susan Merletti

Susan integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into her online practice. Client-centered therapy focuses on building a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship in which the therapist listens closely and follows the client’s priorities - this approach helps with issues like relationship struggles, grief, and finding personal direction. CBT offers practical tools to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and to develop healthier patterns, making it useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with chronic illness.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Susan works collaboratively with each client to determine what fits best. She explores the client’s goals, preferences, and life circumstances and then adapts techniques from these approaches so the work remains relevant and manageable.

Online therapy with Susan is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access therapy from home or while managing medical or caregiving responsibilities, and they allow therapists and licensed professionals to tailor session style and frequency to each person’s needs.