- Anxiety and stress
- ADHD and learning differences
- Behavioral-cognitive approach
About Merry
Merry McKinnon is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 33 years of clinical experience. She works with people who face anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem, grief, and challenges related to ADHD and learning differences. Merry also supports individuals dealing with social anxiety and phobia and the isolation that can come with neurodiversity.
Her practice foregrounds relationships and practical thinking. She uses a behavioral-cognitive lens to help people notice patterns in thought and behavior and try different ways of responding. Sessions are conversational and focused on what is happening now and what can change in daily life.
Merry has worked extensively with adults who have high-functioning Autism Spectrum presentations, Asperger Syndrome, Non-verbal Learning Disorder, and Auditory Processing Disorder. She describes how these conditions can show up as disorganization, academic or workplace difficulties, and social withdrawal before someone recognizes ADHD or a learning difference.
Many people come to her for help with motivation, addictive behaviors, or distorted self-image. She helps them identify strengths they may be overlooking and tests straightforward strategies to reduce unhelpful habits. Discussions are aimed at small, manageable changes rather than abstract theory.
Merry believes it is never too late to discover abilities and make practical changes. She frames therapy as a collaborative process and focuses on real-world steps that can improve daily functioning and relationships.
Therapeutic techniques and working online
Many of Merry's methods come from behavioral and cognitive approaches. Behavioral techniques focus on changing routines and testing new behaviors in everyday life, which can help with avoidance, motivation, and repetitive habits. Cognitive methods look at thought patterns and how they influence feelings and actions, useful for anxiety, low self-esteem, and self-critical thinking.She also works relationally, paying attention to interaction patterns between therapist and client. This approach helps people notice how they relate to others and try out different ways of communicating and responding in social situations, which can be especially relevant for social anxiety and for people with learning differences.
Finding the best combination of techniques is part of the work. Merry will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and will adjust strategies as progress is reviewed.
The therapist's biography does not list specific online formats. Before booking, confirm which session formats are offered. Online or remote sessions can make it easier to schedule therapy around work or daily responsibilities, reduce travel, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. They also allow people to try practices in real life between sessions and bring those experiences back to discuss.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
33+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem, and ADHD related difficulties, including social anxiety and phobia.
How does she approach therapy?
Merry uses a relational approach through a behavioral-cognitive lens, focusing on present patterns and practical changes in thinking and behavior.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 33 years of professional work experience in clinical practice.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a California LMFT and practices in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can clients outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
What formats are used for sessions?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost and how are they billed?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.