I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Central Florida and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in anxiety, stress, and life transitions, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy to help my clients meet their treatment goals and find relief. I’ve found that my style and approach resonate well with young to middle-aged adults who are going through life’s transitions and coping with social pressures. These challenges often show up as anxiety, depression, stress, or feeling stuck. I aim to help my clients navigate these changes, build coping skills, and ultimately feel better about themselves while developing a more positive outlook on life.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Learning about a client’s past experiences is really important for understanding where they’re at today. Clients can expect to fill out a questionnaire that helps us shape the best treatment plan. This also helps build a strong connection between us, which is key to getting good results. Clients are always welcome to ask any questions about the process, and we’ll go over the practice policies together.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Since I was a kid, I’ve always had a natural drive to help others—whether it was family, friends, or even strangers. As I grew older, that desire to support others guided my career, starting with working with adults who had intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges. This experience really sparked my interest in the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker has allowed me to bring these skills to help clients better understand themselves and live more fulfilling, meaningful lives.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I love working with people who are going through big life changes, like divorce, moving, or dealing with grief. These transitions can be super stressful, and sometimes, they cause people to feel stuck or fall behind. I offer a non-judgmental space where my clients can feel safe to work through these challenges. If mood struggles or relationship issues are getting in the way, I help clients who are ready to make a change by increasing their self-awareness and taking charge of their future. It’s all about helping them take those first steps when they’re ready.
About Lauren Merced
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In practice, I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help my client develop psychological flexibility. This involves accepting your thoughts and feelings without trying to control them, while committing to behaviors that align with your core values. By doing this, you can move forward in life, even when facing tough experiences. I often use mindfulness exercises to help my client identify personal values and teach them cognitive defusion techniques to detach from unhelpful thoughts.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In practice, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help my client identify and challenge their negative thought patterns. The client can then actively work on changing their behaviors by learning new coping strategies to handle difficult situations. This often involves techniques like cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, journaling, and behavioral activation. The goal is to improve your emotional well-being and quality of life, and I do this in collaboration with the client so they may identify problematic thoughts and behaviors while guiding them toward healthier alternatives.
Trauma Informed Care
In practice, trauma-informed care means that I actively recognize and respond to signs of trauma in individuals by creating a safe and supportive environment. I aim to avoid re-traumatizing triggers and empower patients to take an active role in their care through open communication, choice, and collaboration. It’s about shifting the focus from “what’s wrong with you” to “what happened to you” in every aspect of service delivery, including policies, procedures, and interactions with clients or patients.