Merry Walensa , LPCC

Merry Walensa is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) practicing in California with 17 years of clinical experience. She supports people facing grief and loss, struggles with motivation, self-esteem and confidence concerns, and career planning or difficulties on the job. She also assists clients who are adjusting to major life changes and transitions.

Merry describes her approach as integrative and inclusive, weaving spiritual perspectives with psychological and philosophical ideas commonly associated with existential work. She aims to help clients explore meaning, values, and personal priorities while addressing practical coping skills. Her training includes techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy, which she tailors to each person’s needs.

She strives to create an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be expressed honestly. Merry emphasizes empowerment and collaboration, supporting clients as they take courageous steps toward a more fulfilling life. 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 appointments be kept when possible and that cancellations be made with advance notice as a courtesy.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Merry Walensa

Merry Walensa blends several evidence-informed approaches to meet each client’s goals. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take meaningful action even when uncomfortable feelings arise - it’s useful for anxiety, stress, and motivation struggles. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an empathetic, nonjudgmental relationship in which the therapist reflects and supports the client’s own capacity for growth - this approach is especially helpful for building self-esteem and working through relationship or life-stage concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, making it effective for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress management.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Merry works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. Clients are invited to be active partners in shaping their care.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options allow clients to fit sessions into busy schedules, continue care during life transitions, and access licensed professionals from home or other convenient locations, while preserving the collaborative, skill-based work that supports lasting change.