Lauren Merced

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Central Florida and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in anxiety, stress, and life transitions, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy to help my clients meet their treatment goals and find relief.

Since I was a kid, I’ve always had a natural drive to help others—whether it was family, friends, or even strangers. As I grew older, that desire to support others guided my career, starting with working with adults who had intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges. This experience really sparked my interest in the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker has allowed me to bring these skills to help clients better understand themselves and live more fulfilling, meaningful lives.

I tailor my therapy approach to fit the unique needs of each client. I commonly use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy, as both methods help us create a clear, shared understanding of their situation and work collaboratively to develop a path forward.

I have a calm, approachable, and friendly communication style. My goal is for clients to feel at ease sharing anything with me, and I take pride in creating a space where they can talk openly, knowing they’ll be met with understanding, not judgment.

I’ve found that my style and approach resonate well with young to middle-aged adults who are going through life’s transitions and coping with social pressures. These challenges often show up as anxiety, depression, stress, or feeling stuck. I aim to help my clients navigate these changes, build coping skills, and ultimately feel better about themselves while developing a more positive outlook on life.

Learning about a client’s past experiences is really important for understanding where they’re at today. Clients can expect to fill out a questionnaire that helps us shape the best treatment plan. This also helps build a strong connection between us, which is key to getting good results. Clients are always welcome to ask any questions about the process, and we’ll go over the practice policies together.

I help clients figure out which behaviors aren’t in line with their values and are holding them back from being their best selves. I believe in working together to set realistic, achievable goals for therapy, so we can track progress and make sure we’re moving forward.