Hello! I am Dr. Merilee Lovejoy, Ph.D. I am licensed in the state of California as a clinical psychologist. I have over 14 years of experience providing therapy to clients in various settings from private practice to outpatient, to inpatient settings. I have experience helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, and addictions.
Some of the individuals I work with are going through life transitions, or need support with workplace-related issues, or career decisions. What I do best is help clients heal emotionally at deep levels so that they feel freed up to live from their authentic self, find fulfillment in their lives, and fulfill their purpose.
I am an accepting person, who welcomes my clients, and wants them to feel comfortable during our sessions. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I think that some of my greatest strengths as a provider are my training, years of experience in the field, and my compassion and ability to actively listen to my clients. I have the desire and motivation to support my clients as they focus in therapy on their goals, and do the inner work they need to do in order to find more fulfillment in life, and be, do, and have all they were designed to be, do, and have.
Having worked with clients for 13 years, I have developed a tried-and-true playbook for helping you (a) identify the root cause of your challenges and (b) create a tailored plan that leads to measurable progress.
About Dr. Merilee Lovejoy, Ph.D.
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Compassion Focused
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) focuses on cultivating compassion for oneself and others, particularly in response to emotional difficulties. It helps clients understand and manage their emotions, develop self-compassion, and foster healthier relationships. I often teach my clients a very powerful Self Love and Inner Healing Dialogue process, that helps my clients connect on a deeper level with their Spiritual Guidance, develop a deep and enduring Inner Bond with their Inner Child/Feeling Self, and heal emotionally at very deep levels. This dialogue process helps heal anxiety and depression, addictions, improves their relationships, and helps them find fulfillment, and be, do, and have all they were designed to be, do, and have. Once you begin connecting with yourself in this much deeper way, you will feel much more fulfilled, happy, at peace, and you will have constant access to your own creative, playful, and passionate self, so will find it MUCH EASIER to manifest your dreams! Some of the techniques used might include compassionate imagery, letter writing, or writing out the dialogue process. I hope that I have the opportunity to work with you so that I can lead you through the Self Love and Inner Healing Dialogue Process, and teach you how you can practice it on your own! It’s a very empowering, and freeing process, that will help you connect with yourself in a very profound way. Once you develop that deep ongoing connection to your Higher Guidance, and within, you will never feel alone, ever again. 😊
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
When providing therapy to clients, I often incorporate mindfulness techniques into the sessions. Mindfulness-Based Therapy emphasizes present moment awareness, non-judgmental acceptance, and cultivation of mindfulness skills. It can help clients become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, which can lead to greater self-understanding and emotional regulation. During sessions, I often teach clients a very powerful Self-Healing Dialogue Process that can help them connect on a deeper level with their Higher Guidance, and their Inner Child/Feeling Self. I often lead clients through a mindfulness meditation, or a deep inner healing exercise. These practices can support clients in coping with stress, anxiety, and depression.
Christian Counseling
I respect clients' beliefs and am open to incorporating their faith into therapy, if desired. Christian Counseling can provide a supportive environment for exploring issues within the context of one's relationship with God, offering guidance rooted in biblical teachings and prayer. If a client requests, or is open to it, I may sometimes use scripture, prayer, and spiritual practices alongside traditional therapeutic approaches to promote healing and growth. It's crucial to ensure clients feel understood and respected regardless of their religious beliefs, offering an inclusive space where they can explore the intersection of faith and psychology.
Faith based therapy
When providing therapy to clients, I integrate clients' spiritual beliefs and values into the therapeutic process in order to address their mental, emotional, and relational concerns. I respect clients' faith backgrounds and am open to incorporating their beliefs into therapy, if desired. Faith-based counseling provides a supportive framework for clients to explore their challenges within the context of their spiritual journey, offering guidance and insight rooted in their religious traditions. My approach is inclusive and non-judgmental, creating a safe space where clients can freely explore the intersection of their faith and psychological well-being.
