Lissa Khema Merkel, LCSW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Lissa Khema Merkel

Lissa Khema Merkel

(she/her)

LCSW
10 years of experience
Authentic
Warm
Intelligent
Virtual

Have you been managing a chronic illness on your own and feel exhausted and in need of some support? Did you also experience medical PTSD? Are you struggling with substance abuse and feel the time has come to re-evaluate its role in your life? As a woman, are the daily challenges of life starting to feel overwhelming? If you are experiencing anxiety, are you ready to let that go and explore a world of more peace and less fear? I empower people to build a life that holds meaning and purpose regardless of past setbacks and negative experiences. Together we will work to identify and overcome challenges that are specific to you. I love asking the right questions to help change the way you are thinking about a problem. It’s important to me that we work together, through talk therapy, to get to the heart of your pain and resolve it so that you can move forward.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In out first session together, we will begin to build trust as you tell me about the issues you've been facing. Throughout the session, we will mutually design goals for treatment. We will discuss, in-depth, what you would like to get out of therapy at the time.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

My work with those managing chronic illness and medical trauma is very near to my heart. I personally have experienced both and intimately understand the complex emotions that surround what can be a very scary set of experiences and feelings. To see more about my work in this field, please my website: www.TrueCompassionTherapy.com. I love working with women as they face challenges such as dating or divorce, aging, school and career issues, etc...I have assisted many women through major changes and challenges in their lives and helped them achieve their desired outcome which is usually peace and happiness. In terms of addiction, I have extensive experience in addiction treatment settings and hold an Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification from UCLA. I am also an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC) in California. Addiction can be a very hard disease to treat. You need someone who is going to go the extra mile with you to save your life and that is me. Anxiety is the most common, along with depression, a mood disorder that I see and treat. I. know that it can be crippling to be in a constant state of fear and worry. I have helped countless clients find methods that calm them, help them accept the present and not live in a fearful future.

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I have extensive training in CBT and love to employ it in my sessions as it's easy to learn and utilize to get results in changing how we react to our thoughts. Often I will ask clients to work through a specific book with me to learn concrete skills that they can use for their lifetime.

Lissa Khema Merkel, LCSW