Jennifer Merrill
Supervisor
Licensed Social Worker
LCSW #29484
jennifer@mcaft.com
650-297-3400 x12
Locations: Los Altos & Half Moon Bay
Fee: $250
Specialties:
Children, adolescents, parents, individual adults and families. Life transitions, identity formation, grief and loss, stress or worry about school or career paths, anxiety, depression, PTSD, Complex PTSD and supporting those coping with a current crisis or wanting to heal from past traumas.
Modalities:
Internal Family Systems (trained at IFS- Institute) Level 2, Somatic Internal Family Systems, Trauma Informed, Supporting Parents of Anxious Children, Teens & Young Adults
Jennifer has training in various evidenced-based treatment modalities to help assist the therapeutic process towards healing. Jennifer is a Certified Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapist trained by Susan McConnell, a Level 1 Trained Internal Family Systems (IFS) through the IFS Institute and through the Stepping Stones Program IFSCA Program out of Canada. Jennifer is also trained in and uses aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma Focused CBT, Family Systems Therapy, Strengths Based Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Jennifer is committed to ongoing education, training and consultation in order to provide the best treatment to her clients.
Approach:
Jennifer’s therapeutic approach is integrative and client-centered, bringing together evidence-based tools from Somatic Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Trauma Focused CBT as well as Strengths Based Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Through empathy, openness, and curiosity, Jennifer works to provide a safe space to support each client’s journeys towards healing. Jennifer works to address the whole person, to help individuals integrate their mind, body and heart and become more in touch with their truest self. Jennifer also likes to work from a strength based approach, acknowledging and working with individuals’ innate strength and resiliency. Jennifer is passionate about providing open, compassionate, trauma informed and culturally competent practices. Jennifer believes that deep and transformative healing is possible for all, no matter their history or severity of symptoms. She also works from the belief that all individuals not only have the capacity, but the right to lead a joy filled, peaceful and meaningful life.
Jennifer believes that the therapist – client relationship is a central part of the healing process, and that the therapist plays a critical role in creating a safe and trusting environment. Jennifer believes that therapy is collaborative, and is dedicated to following client’s leads, while offering gentle guidance. Her hope is to work together with clients to help them better understand themselves and in turn, learn new skills to enact positive change in their lives. Changes that will result and radiate into their own sense of self, increased sense of internal peace and enjoyment in life and in relationship with others. She enjoys working with a variety of people. She remains truly humbled and honored to be part of her clients’ journeys and lives.
Experience:
Jennifer has over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, families and individuals across a variety of settings including: schools (both public and private), foster-care agencies, the criminal justice system, residential care, and private practice settings.
Education:
Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Clinical Social Work from New York University, graduating with the highest honors.