Merrill Beth Friedman

Hello, and thank you for visiting my profile. You are here because you are looking for help with issues that have arisen recently or that you have been struggling with over the months or years. Finding a therapist can be a daunting process. Please know that most of us are likely to be helpful for you, perhaps in different ways. I encourage you to speak to whoever you choose once or twice and stick with the person who you feel you can be honest and comfortable with.

This is who I am if you decide to read further:

• I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist with over 30 years of experience helping individuals navigate life’s challenges. I started my career in behavioral health in Oregon and am now reside and work in NH.
• Over the years, I’ve worked in diverse settings with people from all walks of life. This gives me a deep understanding of the difficulties, both internal and external, that you might be confronted with.
• I work to build a strong, supportive and collaborative relationships. I use a non-judgmental approach with warmth, friendliness and when the moment calls for it, humor to bring some lightness to what can be a difficult process.
• I applaud your time, courage and persistence as you go through all of these profiles. Don't give up-therapy can be helpful.

My approach is client-centered and adaptable, drawing from evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT, mindfulness, mind–body awareness, and strength-based strategies. I hope to create a space where you can feel safe to explore your challenges at your own pace. Together, we’ll identify your goals, develop a flexible treatment plan, and adjust it as you grow, With your permission, we may take time to reflect on the underlying factors contributing to your current challenges, such as family history or relationship patterns. While I believe personal history is important, we will focus on it only as a way to help you understand its impact on your present situation.

Therapy is a journey of conversations, self-exploration, and trying out new approaches to discover what works best for you and your unique circumstances. Some sessions may leave you with fresh ideas to ponder, tools to experiment with or even a sense of relief. Others might bring sadness or other discomfort as you confront yourself and your situations openly. But by the end of treatment, the hope is that you:

• Have achieved identified goals.
• Have a deeper understanding of who you are and an ability to reflect on your experiences with an objective or even friendly curiosity.
• Use any tools you might have learned in therapy to help you move forward in a manner that supports your wellbeing.

Ending therapy is a mutual decision. I believe therapy is most effective when you can apply what you’ve worked on to your life. Having episodes of treatment allows you to do this. If you choose to return to therapy in the future, it can open the door for new or different growth. Thank you for your time.