Sheet 1
- Behavioral-Cognitive perspective
- Autism spectrum support
- Grief and anxiety work
About Merry
LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) Merry McKinnon has practiced in California for 33 years. She works mainly with stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem, depression, and ADHD. Merry often sees people whose learning differences or neurodiversity affect mood and everyday functioning.
She has long experience with ADHD and learning differences that include non-verbal learning disorder and auditory processing challenges. Merry also works with people on the autism spectrum, including what was formerly called Asperger Syndrome. Common problems she addresses are social anxiety, isolation, motivation blocks, and struggles at school or work.
Her approach centers on the therapeutic relationship. She uses a behavioral-cognitive perspective to notice patterns of thinking and behavior and to test new ways of acting. Sessions aim to name what’s getting in the way and to build practical steps that match each person’s strengths.
Merry pays attention to how self-image, guilt, and shame shape choices. She helps people examine those feelings and try out different ways of relating to themselves and others. Past clients have brought grief, addiction concerns, or low self-esteem as part of their work together.
She frames change as a process that uncovers skills people already have. The focus is on clearer communication, better organization, and steady small changes that make daily life more manageable. The first meetings typically clarify goals and identify one or two concrete next steps.
Sheet 2
How her evidence-based approaches work in online sessions
She frames work through a behavioral-cognitive perspective, which looks at how thoughts and actions feed each other. In practice this means identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, testing small behavioral changes, and measuring whether those changes reduce anxiety or improve mood. She also works with strategies tailored to neurodiversity and learning differences. That often involves breaking tasks into smaller steps, building routines that match cognitive strengths, and coaching practical organization skills for school or work challenges. Finding the right approach is part of the first sessions. She collaborates with each person to decide which techniques to try based on goals, daily demands, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Clients and therapist review progress and adjust methods together. Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow check-ins from different locations when schedules change. Some formats mean less bandwidth or no camera, which can suit brief check-ins or times when a quieter setup is needed.Sheet 3
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
33+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Sheet 4
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she focus on?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem, depression, and ADHD. Additional areas include social anxiety, isolation, and issues tied to learning differences.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a relational approach through a behavioral-cognitive lens. That means she pays attention to patterns of thinking and behavior while building practical steps together.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 33 years of professional experience in clinical practice. That span includes long-term work with neurodiverse conditions and mood-related concerns.
What credentials and region apply?
She is an LMFT licensed in California. Her practice is based in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. More specific pricing details are provided during the matching process.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button and completing a short matching questionnaire. After that you can schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.