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LM Portrait of LaVerne Merritt-Morrison
Online therapist

LaVerne Merritt-Morrison

Experienced addiction-minded counselor

Book with LaVerne
Credentials
LMHC
Experience
30 years
Licensed in
New York
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About LaVerne

LaVerne Merritt-Morrison is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with three decades of experience in clinical counseling. She trained at Fairleigh Dickinson University and has a strong background in addiction counseling. She offers straightforward care focused on understanding each person's situation and goals.

Her work often centers on addiction and recovery, but she also tackles anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, and relationship and intimacy concerns. She has additional experience with complex issues such as compulsive behaviors, personality-related difficulties, and co-occurring conditions.

Background and approach

She uses practical methods to help people find clearer next steps. LaVerne relies on Client-Centered Therapy to meet people where they are. She pairs that with Motivational Interviewing to build readiness for change and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address thoughts and behaviors that get in the way.

Sessions focus on simple, concrete strategies that can be tried between meetings. Clients can expect a calm, direct style that emphasizes listening first and working together on goals. She has particular training in addiction-related care, including a specialty in gambling issues and extensive experience with dual diagnosis and substance use treatment.

That background informs how she supports change. Based in New York and licensed as LMHC, LaVerne combines years of practical experience with a steady, supportive approach. She aims to help people feel less overwhelmed and more able to take manageable steps forward.

How her approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy centers on listening and responding to each person's needs, helping the therapist and client shape goals together. This approach supports people who want an empathic space to talk through family and life stresses and to set priorities.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It uses practical exercises and simple skills you can apply between sessions to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and change unhelpful patterns.

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative way to strengthen a person's motivation for change. It works well when someone feels stuck or unsure about next steps, especially around substance use or lifestyle shifts.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, then adapt methods together so sessions fit the person's life.

Online formats offer flexibility for busy schedules and different comfort levels. Video calls let the therapist and client have face-to-face conversations, phone sessions remove travel needs, and live chat or text-based messaging can support shorter check-ins or ongoing coaching between meetings.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Motivational Interviewing

A way of working through mixed feelings about change without being pushed. The therapist helps you weigh things up and find your own reasons, which often makes a difficult decision feel less stuck.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?
She focuses on addiction and related issues and also works with anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting and career matters.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is client-centered and collaborative, using motivational interviewing to support change and cognitive behavioral techniques to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 30 years of experience in counseling, including long-term work in substance use therapy and with clients who have co-occurring diagnoses.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds the Licensed Mental Health Counselor credential with New York registration NY LMHC 003287-1 and practices from New York.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and she also accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist factors; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a session based on therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
30 years
Licensed
New York
Languages
English

Next step

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