Ornella Merino

Hello, and welcome! I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 10 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges. Throughout my career, I've worked in outpatient, community mental health, crisis intervention, and care management settings, supporting clients with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, relationship concerns, family conflict, and life transitions.

I have a passion for working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and understand the unique experiences that can come with multicultural identities, immigration, and family-of-origin dynamics. My approach is collaborative, culturally responsive, and strengths-based, meeting you where you are while helping you build the tools needed for lasting growth.

I believe therapy is more than addressing symptoms—it's about creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel seen, heard, and understood. Together, we'll explore patterns that may be holding you back, strengthen your relationships, develop healthy coping strategies, and work toward meaningful, sustainable change.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply ready to invest in yourself, I'm here to support you with compassion, authenticity, and evidence-based care every step of the way.

My approach to therapy is holistic, warm, empowering, and solution-focused. I believe every person has the capacity for growth, healing, and meaningful change. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you feel comfortable being your authentic self.

I tailor therapy to your unique needs, drawing from evidence-based practices while considering the emotional, relational, cultural, and environmental factors that shape your experiences. I believe in gently challenging unhelpful patterns, encouraging self-reflection, and helping you build practical skills to navigate life's challenges with confidence.

Whether you're working through anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, family conflict, ADHD, or life transitions, we'll work together to identify your strengths, develop effective coping strategies, and create lasting, meaningful change. My goal is not only to help you overcome current struggles but to empower you with the tools and insight to thrive long after therapy ends.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another in a safe, supportive, and judgment-free space. We'll discuss what brought you to therapy, your current concerns, personal history, strengths, and the goals you'd like to achieve. I'll take the time to understand your unique experiences while answering any questions you may have about the therapy process.

Together, we'll begin identifying meaningful goals and develop a plan tailored to your needs. My hope is that you'll leave the first session feeling heard, understood, and with a clearer sense of direction for your therapeutic journey.