Therapists serving clients in Merced, CA

My name is Kevin Farrell and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California (#22616). I have almost 20 years experience as a Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist. I previously had a successful career in media and in my mid-30s I returned to school to obtain a Masters Degree in Social Work in order to find a more rewarding career path for myself. As a Psychotherapist, I have worked with a wide variety of adults and I use a range of therapeutic tools. I view therapy as a partnership and for me the most important aspect of therapy is the therapeutic alliance, which refers to the quality and strength of the collaborative relationship between client and therapist. This is strongest when there is agreement on goals and objectives. I work closely with each client to establish goals and achieve a strong alliance built on mutual trust. I utilize an eclectic approach to therapy with reliance on core theoretical concepts from Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Existential Therapy, among others. I tend to emphasize solution-focused strategies that assist a client in understanding themselves, improving their problem-solving/coping techniques, and building resiliency for future challenges. I seek ongoing feedback and collaboration with clients to evaluate and improve a client's experience in therapy. I have been told that my non-judgmental style engages people and they find me respectful, sincere, and easy to relate to. My primary goal with clients is to successfully address a client's challenges in order to improve overall quality of life.

You're here! Right here, right now! You may not be there yet, but you have already taken a step towards facing challenges with a strength you never knew you had. Besides, it doesn't hurt to get a little assistance on the way. I'm here to help you. Let me tell you something. Nothing is as remarkable as seeing positive change in my client! Helping you make even the smallest steps towards your goal every day brings me joy and I like to do these silly dances when I've noticed your progress. Even when they seem too small to notice, I'll notice! I can even tell a corny joke or two. You’ll be surprised how much a little positivity can help. I have been a counselor for almost a decade. I am a licensed professional counselor and a certified rehabilitation counselor with additional experience in helping individuals get back to work to attain the highest success possible after experiencing any life changing issues. I have helped people with almost everything you can think of. I have helped those with severe mental health concerns and those with mild ones. I have multicultural experience and have lived in and visited many different countries (experience does help!). I've learned a lot about cultural differences and appreciations. I respect the variation that we have as humans. I understand that there are times when struggles and challenges approach us and we need a little extra boost to help us work through it. I am here to help! When I counsel, my style is energetic, compassionate, and supportive. I praise your progressions, and I can show you how to be proud of your efforts and steps in the right direction. I am client-centered and I want to listen to you and be as helpful as is humanly possible. I am a firm believer in positive psychology, as I love highlighting your strengths! I love to empower my clients. I can't wait to meet you!

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, depression, & coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California, with 7 years of professional work experience. I have help clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & depression and self-esteem issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started.

The therapeutic relationship is an alliance for your health and growth. Congratulations for giving your self the time and support to grow and deal with life’s challenges. It takes courage and wisdom to ask for help. It is my intension to be helpful and assist you in reaching your goals. The information that you give me is helpful in determining the specifics of treatment. During the course of therapy, we may evaluate where you are in the process of meeting your goals. If you have any concerns, questions, or suggestions, please talk to me about them. You input is essential. I cannot predict how long therapy may be needed. Of course, you may end therapy at any time. I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), who has been licensed by the State of California since 1988. I have a master’s degree in family therapy from California Family Study Center (Now named Phillips Graduate Institute) and a doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. I have additional training in Emotional Freedom Therapy, also know as Tapping. While I know many forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral, my favored approach is psycho-spiritual. I combine family therapy and depth psychology, specifically Jungian and archetypal psychology , to work on relationship issues on many levels. I help individuals and couples improve communication, deal with transitions and losses, and deal constructively with conflicts. Depth psychology helps people to develop emotional stamina, to discover hidden parts of one’s self and narratives that govern relationships. This work honors the illogical, the mysterious, and the unexplained. People have rational, logical parts and illogical, emotional or intuitive parts. A goal is to be a whole person. The work encourages people to operate out of their Higher Self and to look for the larger picture. Although the practice is psycho-spiritual, it is not based upon any particular religious teaching. Traumatic events get locked in the body, like kink in a garden hose. EFT-Tapping helps shift the energy to help people get out of anxiety and be able to meet their challenges with more clarity and stamina. Emotional Freedom Therapy employs the body’s acupressure points and works with specific events in people’s lives to reduce distress. Clients tap on themselves with verbal guidance. This method helps eliminate distressing feelings and ease the effects of trauma. Addiction is prevalent in our culture. I work with people struggling with addiction. In my opinion, addiction is a thinking disorder that there is never enough, one has to be perfect, there is no help, and one has to grab at gratification or someone will take it away. The focus is on healing shame, expressing feelings, self-care and practicing gratitude and humility. It is also a spiritual disorder of looking for love in all the wrong places and thinking one is in total control. It often requires a team effort with programs like AA , AlAnon, Celebrate Recovery, and a Sponsor. In my opinion, Lifestyle makes a difference in mental health outcomes. Thing to think about: Do you eat foods that nourish & love you back? This means fresh, diverse, colorful, minimal processing, grown with no poisons, best locally grown. Feed your gut, to feed your brain to improve mood with foods that have fiber and fermentation. Do you move your body on a regular basis, such as walking, dancing, yoga or Tai Chi? The latter two, yoga and Tai Chi help intentionally to change internal states to calm. Basically movement and posture changes consciousness. Do you rest and restore when tired? Do you reach out to friendly, respectful people? Do you have a spiritual practice? Are you careful what kind of media you watch or listen to? Does it calm, inspire or agitate and anger you? Our literal hearts are in coherence with gratitude, appreciation, love & in incoherence with anger or frustration. Do you have a pet or a garden that you take care of? Do you spend time in nature? Walk on the earth, among trees, listen to water? Do you have a balance between work and play? Do you have a way to give back to something larger than yourself ? These are areas to consider or add to your daily life. The following guidelines help preserve the difference between a friendship and therapeutic relationship. Privacy of Communication: Our communication and even the fact that you are in therapy is confidential and must be kept private. You have to sign a written waver for me to talk, write, or communicate in any way to anyone with some exceptions. Safe Storage of Records:Any paper notes are kept in safe files. You have the right to electronic privacy and safe storage of these records. Exceptions by law: There are exceptions as mandated by federal, state, or local laws that do not require your written authorization to release private information. Harm to Others: As mandated by law, I am legally bound to report child abuse and neglect, dependent adult abuse and neglect, and elder abuse and neglect. This includes domestic violence that puts children at risk. Harm to Self or Others: I will disclose limited information to prevent serious harm to others or yourself. Consultations with Professionals: There are times when it is desirable or mandated that I seek a consultation with another professional about our work. Should this need arise, I will disguise all identifying data. This could include a consulting psychotherapist about your case or a lawyer to discuss legal issues that pertain to your case. If I need to speak to your doctor, I will ask for a written consent. Exceptions with lawsuits: If you file a lawsuit in criminal or civil courts or pursue an administrated action, your information may be required by the judge or by his or her subpoena. If you bring in the issue of your mental health in such a case, you give up your right to confidentiality. Appointments: At the beginning of therapy, it’s helpful to have consistent weekly meetings. Once we agree upon a time, I will hold it for you, unless you no longer need that time. Should you not be able to attend your session, as a courtesy to me, please give me twenty-four hour notice. You will do better for yourself if you bring up difficult issues at the beginning of the therapy session. If you have an emergency, please indicate that in your message. However, in the event of a medical or psychiatrist emergency, where your safety or the safety of others is involved, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. Please know that I am not available 24 hours, normally maintaining business hours between 9-5. Please know I can only talk with you in California. If you travel to another state, I may not be able to, except in an emergency. Each state has their own licensing requirements. Ending therapy: When you are ready to leave therapy, please schedule one or more goodbye sessions. The amount of sessions depends upon how long you have been in therapy with me. This time is used to review what you have accomplished, what needs reinforcing, and to identify work that might be done in the future. It is important to be able to say,” Goodbye," talk about the feelings surrounding the endings of this relationship. This is good practice for your life beyond therapy. There are times when I may end therapy. Reasons may include that your needs are outside the scope of my practice, a referral is made, or we agree that no progress is being made.

I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with intimacy related issues, parenting issues, career difficulties, & coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Texas with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression, & coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! Thank you for being brave.

I am licensed in California with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & trauma and abuse. I also have experience working with depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California with 16 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.