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Marlene Merchant

Marlene Merchant

LMHC

New York

Goal-focused therapist using Motivational Interviewing

Continue with Marlene

At a glance

Credentials
LMHC
License
LMHC, New York / 011677-01
Experience
10 years
Languages
English
Location
New York

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

    • Motivation and change
    • Practical coping skills
    • Mindful self-awareness

    About Marlene

    Marlene Merchant is an LMHC based in New York who centers Motivational Interviewing alongside cognitive behavioral and mindfulness approaches. She offers steady support for people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, eating concerns, depression, and relationship strain. Her tone is encouraging and goal-focused, aimed at practical changes clients can use day to day.

    Marlene has ten years of clinical experience and brings a straightforward, calm style to sessions. She helps clients identify small steps that match their values and strengths. Sessions often include learning simple skills for coping with stress, improving sleep, managing cravings, and easing intense emotions.

    Her work includes attention to body image, self-esteem, and communication problems. She also supports people dealing with grief, compassion fatigue, life changes, and challenges around parenting and intimacy. For those facing obsessive or compulsive behaviors, hoarding, or issues tied to guilt and shame, she focuses on practical strategies to reduce distress.

    Marlene uses mindfulness techniques to build awareness of thoughts and bodily sensations. Cognitive behavioral tools help people notice unhelpful thinking and practice different responses. Motivational Interviewing is used to clarify motivation and strengthen commitment to change.

    She welcomes clients who prefer a collaborative, straightforward approach and who want concrete tools they can try between sessions. To begin, readers can follow the site’s process to match and schedule based on availability.

  2. How her approaches translate to online work

    Motivational Interviewing focuses on helping people clarify their own reasons for change and build motivation in small, doable steps; it can be useful for addiction, ambivalence about change, and habit shifts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice patterns of unhelpful thinking and practice new behaviors; it often helps with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and obsessive behaviors. Mindfulness Therapy trains simple attention skills to reduce reactivity and improve emotion regulation, which can ease stress and support healthier coping.

    Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to find which methods match their goals and preferences. Together they will try techniques, review what helps, and adjust the plan as needed.

    Practical benefits of online therapy can include fitting sessions into a busy schedule, keeping shorter check-ins when needed, and avoiding travel time. Because session formats were not specified in the biography, confirm current options before booking to know what is offered. Online work with a licensed professional can still include goal-setting, skill practice, and regular review to track progress.

  4. Areas of expertise

    Primary focus

    Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseEating disordersDepression

    Also works with

    Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

    Additional focus areas

    Body imageCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issues

    Therapeutic approaches

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational Interviewing

    Experience

    10+ years

    Listed in

    New York

    Languages

    English

  5. Frequently asked questions

    What concerns does she address?

    She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, eating and food-related issues, depression, and relationship or family problems among other concerns.

    What is her therapeutic style?

    Her sessions are collaborative and goal-focused, combining Motivational Interviewing with CBT and mindfulness to help people set goals and try practical steps between meetings.

    How much clinical experience does she have?

    She has ten years of experience as a licensed clinician working with a range of concerns from mood disorders to addiction and trauma.

    What are her credentials and location?

    She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC, practicing in New York.

    Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?

    Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.

    What session formats are available?

    Please confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography.

    How does payment and cost work?

    Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

    How do I start therapy with her?

    Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

  6. Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

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Marlene Merchant Continue with Marlene