PuttingFamilyFirst

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MM Portrait of Marlene Merchant
Online therapist

Marlene Merchant

Practical, goal-focused therapy for caregivers

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Credentials
LMHC
Experience
10 years
Licensed in
New York
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Marlene

Marlene Merchant is a licensed mental health counselor who uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to support parents and caregivers. She draws on a decade of clinical experience and focuses on clear, practical steps people can take at home. Her style is empathic and goal-oriented, aimed at helping clients build everyday skills that matter.

She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and grief with hands-on strategies. She also works with issues around eating, addictions, trauma and abuse, sleep, and intimacy-related concerns.

Background and approach

Conversations often include ways to improve communication and manage upsetting thoughts and behaviors. Marlene pays attention to family and parenting concerns and offers straightforward guidance for caregivers who are juggling multiple responsibilities. Sessions include skill-building for self-care, coping with life changes, and improving family communication.

These practical tools are woven into a collaborative plan with each person. Her background emphasizes motivating change and building small, sustainable habits. Motivational Interviewing is used to clarify what matters most and to move toward realistic goals.

Mindfulness practices are introduced to reduce reactivity and improve attention in daily life. Marlene holds the LMHC credential and practices in New York. She offers sessions in English and accepts international clients when appropriate.

Work with her typically focuses on clear goals, short-term strategies, and steady progress over time.

Therapeutic approaches for online family and parenting support

CBT, Mindfulness Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing are used in session to address common parenting and personal concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and changing behaviors that get in the way of daily routines and relationships; it is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and compulsive patterns. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and increase calm during stressful parenting moments. Motivational Interviewing helps clarify personal goals and strengthens commitment to change when someone feels stuck or uncertain about next steps.

Choosing the right approach is a shared process. The therapist collaborates with each client to match methods to specific goals, needs, and preferences. That means techniques may be tried and adjusted over time until they fit the family or individual situation.

Online work uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care flexible and easier to fit into busy schedules. These formats let parents and caregivers access brief check-ins, skill coaching, and regular sessions without extra travel. The focus is on practical tools that can be used at home and on a schedule that fits daily life.

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.

Mindfulness Therapy

Attention training: noticing thoughts and physical feelings as they arrive without being carried off by them. Much of it is practice you do yourself, so guidance over video or audio works much as it would in person.

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 this therapist address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, eating and addiction concerns, trauma and abuse, sleep problems, intimacy issues, and parenting and family difficulties.
What is the therapist's general approach in sessions?
Sessions combine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness techniques, and Motivational Interviewing to teach practical skills and build motivation for change.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 10 years of experience working with a range of mental health and behavioral concerns.
What are the therapist's credentials and where are they located?
She holds the LMHC credential with license number NY LMHC 011677-01 and practices in New York.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English, and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are offered?
Clients can meet by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin therapy?
Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a brief matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
10 years
Licensed
New York
Languages
English

Next step

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  • Stop at any point
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