Merry Walensa , LPCC

Merry Walensa is a California licensed professional clinical counselor with 17 years of experience. She focuses on helping people navigate relationship strain, grief, low self-esteem, career changes, stress, anxiety, and the practical problems life brings. Merry aims to make first steps toward change feel doable and supported.

She takes an integrative approach that combines practical skills with values-based reflection. Sessions often include clear tools for coping with worry and mood shifts alongside conversations about purpose and meaning. That mix helps people manage everyday symptoms while thinking about longer-term goals.

Merry uses techniques drawn from acceptance and commitment therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to build skills for emotion regulation and problem solving. She also draws on client-centered and emotionally-focused ideas to deepen understanding of relationships and attachment. Dialectical behavior therapy skills are used when people need concrete ways to reduce distress and improve interpersonal effectiveness.

Her work often addresses specific life problems such as addiction, parenting stress, chronic illness, caregiving and end-of-life concerns, and the practical fallout of divorce, money pressure, or job loss. She also helps with intimacy-related worries, sleeping problems, anger, and isolation. Conversations tend to be direct, compassionate, and tailored to each person’s situation.

New clients begin with a video session before shifting to phone, chat, or text options as appropriate. Merry encourages people to schedule thoughtfully and to give advance notice when canceling so sessions are respectful of both parties.

How Merry uses therapy approaches online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and taking committed steps toward them while learning simple skills to handle uncomfortable thoughts and feelings; it can help with life changes, low motivation, and grief. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people spot unhelpful thinking patterns and try practical experiments to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and change behaviors. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) centers on improving connection and understanding in relationships by naming feelings and unmet needs.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Merry will work with each person to pick methods that match their goals and comfort level, and she will adjust techniques as progress is made and needs change.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is used for first appointments and works well for deeper conversations and skill practice. Phone sessions can fit a tight schedule or lower bandwidth situations. Chat and text allow shorter check-ins, written reflections, and ongoing coaching between sessions. These options make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into a busy life.