- Values-driven work
- Practical skill building
- Video first for newcomers
About Merry
Merry Walensa is a California-licensed professional counselor (LPCC) with 17 years of experience. She helps people dealing with grief, self-esteem struggles, career uncertainty, stress, anxiety, addiction concerns, and relationship issues. Merry emphasizes compassionate support and practical steps to help people move toward clearer goals and steadier daily routines.
Her approach blends several methods. She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful patterns and take values-driven action. She also draws on client-centered and emotionally-focused ways of working to keep the conversation grounded in each person’s experience.
Merry integrates existential and spiritual perspectives when it fits the client's needs. That means talking about meaning, purpose, and how life choices connect with personal values. She aims to make these conversations approachable and useful for everyday decisions like work, relationships, and caregiving.
In sessions she focuses on clear, practical steps - skill-building, behavioral experiments, and reflective conversation. She asks questions, listens, and helps people test new ways of responding to stress, anger, sleep problems, or codependent habits.
New clients are asked to book a video session first before using phone or chat options. Merry encourages keeping scheduled appointments and giving advance notice for cancellations to maintain steady progress.
Therapeutic methods that translate to online care
Merry commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying values and taking small committed actions even when feelings are difficult, which helps with issues like anxiety, grief, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to change patterns that contribute to depression, stress, or sleep problems.Finding the right approach is a team effort. Merry works collaboratively to identify which methods fit a person’s goals and preferences, and she adjusts tools and exercises based on what is most helpful over time.
New clients are asked to schedule a video appointment first before other formats may be used, so please confirm current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people use in-session worksheets, practice skills in real time, and bring up immediate workplace or home challenges for problem-solving during the appointment.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems can Merry help with?
She helps people address grief, self-esteem, work and career issues, stress, anxiety, addiction concerns, relationship and intimacy-related issues, parenting and family concerns, trauma and abuse, sleep and anger difficulties, and related life changes.
What is her general therapy style?
She practices in a warm, client-centered manner and mixes practical skill work with reflective conversation to help people try new behaviors and make clearer choices.
How long has she been practicing?
Merry has 17 years of professional experience working with people on a range of life challenges and transitions.
Where is Merry licensed and based?
She is licensed as an LPCC in California and provides services linked to that license within the state.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are session logistics and cost handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Merry?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability; new clients should book a video appointment first.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.