Kelly Merrill

I am a UW graduate with an MSW, Go Huskies! I have been a clinical social worker for the past 20 years. My focus being adolescent psychiatric social work and school social work with ages 5 - 18. I also enjoy working with college students / young adults 18-25 and supporting Parents too. I specialize in ADHD, Autism, neurodivergent, Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Loss, and more.

I am a mountain-loving skier and mom of two teens, two dogs (including Wilson, the beloved therapy dog), and a cat. My husband and I enjoy weekends spent on the sidelines of a soccer pitch or on shore at a regatta cheering on our awesome young people.

You can expect a relaxed, warm, and welcoming environment—one where genuine connection is the priority and moments of lightness, fun, and humor naturally find their place. If you’d like, Wilson the Therapy Dog can join a session to offer his own brand of comfort and support. Our first few sessions will take place virtually, giving you space to get to know me and decide whether you prefer continuing online, meeting in the office, or exploring Eco Therapy sessions. For those drawn to nature-based healing, Eco Therapy offers the opportunity to meet in local parks, beaches, or trails, creating a grounding and restorative backdrop for our work together.

I can help navigate challenges with school experiences and school systems and challenges with social skills and relationships. As a Social Worker, I approach our work together through a strength-based lens. This approach empowers the tweens, teens, young adults and parents to recognize that they are not defined by their challenges or diagnoses.

For parents, whether you are seeking evidence‐informed parenting strategies or exploring therapeutic services for your adolescent, I welcome the opportunity to work with your family. Recognizing that adolescents may be hesitant to engage in traditional therapy, I utilize a “Coachapist” approach.

During their first session, clients can expect a welcoming confidential space to share their thoughts, begin building trust with me as your therapist, discuss concerns, and collaboratively set initial goals for therapy. You can expect a non-judgmental and supportive space where teens, young adults and parents feel comfortable being themselves.