Family therapy and counseling in Arcata, CA

Hello there. Thanks for checking out my profile.

I don't know what brings you to this tiny nook of the internet, on this particular day, but I am grateful and very curious to hear.

As a therapist, I've worked with adolescents and adults for over a decade; sharing in their challenges, connecting in laughter and kindness.

It would be my joy to learn your story and meet you with warmth, humor, and sincerity.

Hello! My name is Mercedes, I am a first-generation Latina Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Hablo Ingles y Español.

I have worked with children for over 15 years and in the mental health field for the past 5 years, supporting children, teens, adults, and foster youth through a variety of emotional, relational, and life challenges. Throughout my career, I have provided individual and family therapy in community mental health settings, which has provided me the opportunity to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

I currently work primarily with adults navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, life transitions, and relationship challenges.

We can all feel overwhelmed by persistent sadness, anxiety, or racing thoughts. Major life shifts—like a career change, relationship end, parenting, or new phase of life—can be difficult to navigate. You do not have to figure it out alone.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) dedicated to helping adults break free from painful emotional patterns and reclaim a sense of control. My practice specializes in treating mood disorders and guiding individuals through challenging life transitions.

Welcome. You are giving your self the gift of therapy and you are in good hands. You will learn a lot and enjoy our time together.

My approach to clients is to see them both as individuals and also within the systems they operate in: familial, community, work-related, societal, or other. I help clients address personal issues in the context of their interpersonal relationships. I strive to support my clients in bringing to light their impact on others, and others’ impact on them while giving clients the skills to heal relational wounds and build healthier, meaningful connections. I work to help her clients connect with their values and find joy.

You may have held doubts about talk therapy and perhaps are thinking therapy may not work at all for what you are dealing with. Psychotherapy like all science is continually changing. Both new and long held approaches to well-being are vast. I invite you to consider Brainspotting before you rule out therapy entirely. My role as a Brainspotting clinician is to offer you support, as you discover your innate capacity for positive self change. I specialize in trauma focused therapy, specializing in treating anxiety disorders. I focus on various forms of addiction, OCD, behavioral issues, depression, bi-polar and mood disorders.

I am a masters level trained Brainspotting clinician and a U.S. Army veteran. I believe in facilitating change in a supportive environment, following and observing your amazing capacity to heal from trauma in your therapeutic work. I work with veterans, first-responders, and other populations struggling with unresolved trauma and anxiety disorders.

Your unique circumstances are to be understood, honored respected and explored in a judgement free, supportive and caring environment. The issues that you bring into therapy remain entirely up to you. I will listen to your wants and needs; joining you on the journey towards your desired sense of well-being.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a Master’s degree in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. Since graduating in 2021, I have worked with adolescents, adults, and couples in community mental health and outpatient settings.

I became a therapist because I wanted to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I’m passionate about helping others better understand themselves, work through challenges, and become the best versions of themselves. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and create a life that feels fulfilling and authentic to them.

I have experience supporting clients navigating depression, anxiety, mood and personality disorders, neurodivergence, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and general life stress. I believe therapy should be a space where clients feel safe, supported, and genuinely heard.

My approach is collaborative and individualized, drawing from modalities including CBT, DBT, Narrative Therapy, and EMDR. I work alongside clients to better understand patterns, build coping skills, improve relationships, and create meaningful change aligned with their goals and values.

I provide empathic, compassionate care in a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and respected. My goal is to offer therapy you can trust—an environment where you can openly explore your thoughts, challenges, and goals while receiving understanding and supportive guidance.

I work with teens, young adults, and families navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, substance use, identity exploration, family conflict, relationship challenges, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm. Whether you're feeling stuck, disconnected, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what comes next, therapy can provide a space to better understand yourself and move toward meaningful change.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I believe therapy works best when clients feel genuinely understood, supported, and accepted for who they are. Together, we build on strengths, develop practical coping skills, and explore the patterns that may be getting in the way of living a more fulfilling life.

I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can be honest, reflective, and fully themselves without fear of judgment. My goal is not only to help clients navigate current challenges but also to foster greater resilience, self-awareness, confidence, and connection.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 15 years of experience helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and life transitions. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about supporting individuals as they work through challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.

I believe therapy is most effective when clients feel safe, supported, and genuinely heard. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and strengths-based, focusing on helping you recognize your existing strengths while developing practical tools to manage life's difficulties. Together, we will work to increase self-awareness, strengthen coping skills, and create a path forward that aligns with your values, goals, and overall well-being. My goal is to empower you to navigate challenges with greater confidence and build a life that feels more balanced, fulfilling, and authentic.

I have over 30 years of clinical, counseling and administrative experience working with individuals and couples, addressing the unique issues related to their unique life experiences. I have extensive professional and personal experience with military families and veterans. I understand first-hand the struggles of grief and medical conditions that impact all aspects of life. I have supported chronically and terminally ill patients, individuals living with cancer or chronic medical diagnoses, as well as parents experiencing infertility, peripartum, and postpartum depression. Whether dealing with life transitions, parenting, depression, anxiety, or divorce, or simply seeking to express yourself and feel more confident, I am here to walk with you, provide insights, and support you toward lasting change.

Through therapy, clients develop new skills, discover new insights, and strengthen their resilience for whatever life brings.

I am a licensed therapist who specializes in anxiety depression and behavioral addictions such as gambling, gaming, shopping, and technology use. I became an LCSW because, quite simply, I love people and have the deepest respect for all living things. I have a masters in Social work and background in Psychology, Sociology and Education. I believe that every individual has innate strengths and my goal is to help you tap into yours. Whether you are in a difficult life transition, navigating healthy relationships, or looking to understand yourself more deeply, I am here to empower you so that you can move from feeling "stuck" to feeling capable.

Outside of the therapy room, I am a proud mom and dedicated reader. As someone who identifies as a lifelong learner, I will bring curiosity and warmth to every session. In addition to my private practice, I am a crisis clinician. This background has sharpened my ability to remain grounded, and provide a safe, stable space even when a situation may feel the most chaotic.