LaVerne Merritt-Morrison

LaVerne Merritt-Morrison is an LMHC based in New York with 30 years of experience in counseling. She completed a Master of Science in clinical counseling with a major in Addiction Counseling and has a long history supporting people facing substance use and related challenges. Her background includes work with addiction, dual diagnosis, and transitional housing for people with chronic medical needs.

Her style is straightforward and practical. She uses a client-centered approach to meet people where they are. She also draws on motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients set goals and try new ways of coping.

LaVerne has many years working directly with substance use issues and co-occurring mental health concerns. She brings experience helping people manage anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and the fallout from trauma and loss. She also addresses concerns such as codependency, impulsivity, isolation, and narcissism when they come up in sessions.

Sessions focus on clear steps and real-life strategies. Conversations often include looking at patterns, testing different responses, and building skills to handle stress and intense emotions. She works with people on parenting strain, career transitions, and midlife changes as part of everyday goals.

People who prefer practical, empathetic work that blends goal-setting with supportive listening may find her approach helpful. The emphasis is on collaborating with each person to create manageable change over time.

How her approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding each person's perspective. It helps when someone needs acceptance, validation, and a calm space to sort through emotions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thinking patterns and behavior. It offers step-by-step tools for anxiety, depression, compulsions, and problem behaviors. Motivational Interviewing is a conversational method that helps people find their own reasons to change and build internal motivation.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals and preferences, and together they will try approaches that fit the person's needs. That means adapting tools and pacing so they make sense for daily life.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, offer shorter check-ins when time is limited, and remove travel time on workdays. Licensed professionals can use these methods effectively in remote sessions by focusing on concrete exercises, homework between meetings, and regular progress checks to keep work moving forward.