Therapist Profile

My Approach to Helping

Welcome to Pathways For Change Come In, Take a Deep Breath, Relax. Enjoy a cup of coffee, while we talk together. What you have to say is extremely important to me; take your time. Coming to therapy for the first time can be intimidating, nerve wracking, and stress inducing. I am very aware of this, and I want you to know you are not alone in feeling this way. If you are coming in because you have a child experiencing some difficulty, the process can be even more difficult because it is your son or daughter. You as the parent have many feelings associated with the difficulty your child is experiencing. As we search for an answer to "Why" our son/daughter is having these problems, we so very often point the finger at ourselves. We think to ourselves "If only I had done this for him/her..." Or, "I should have never done/said...(you can fill in this part of the sentence)." Enter guilt. For most parents, guilt need not be a part of the equation when we are trying to uncover why a son or daughter is having issues in school, home, with friends, etc. But for some reason, parents (myself included!) like to hold onto those tortuous "guilt" feelings, and keep them close to the top of the list of things to feel when it comes to our children. Most of the time, our guilty feelings, only get in the way of our child's healing process. I encourage you to put the guilt aside, relax, and talk to me about your child. I want to learn all I can about your son or daughter, so we can provide the help and relief they need, as quickly as possible. You will find my office to be a cozy space, with comfortable chairs you can really relax in. My office is also full of toys, puppets, paints, clay, and therapeutic games for your child to play with, engage with, and express themselves with, while I watch, listen, and learn all I can about them. My office is a very safe environment for your child to explore and share their feelings. I will be fully present with your son or daughter every step of the way, learning together how to overcome, heal, and be the very best they can be. It's a journey...I'm here, when you are ready. Jodi Merrill, MA Contact our office anytime at 610-737-2776 to ask questions, or to schedule an appointment. We accept most major credit cards, cash and checks for payment. You will be given a receipt at the time of payment, for insurance reimbursement.

More Info About My Practice

Does Play Therapy Really Work? Parents often ask me about my practice of play therapy. They ask "Does it really work, Jodi?" A great many parents are miffed because they want to know "how can playing be therapy?" This is a very good question and one I would like to answer for all of the parents who are struggling with whether or not to approach the idea of play therapy for their child. It does work. Children aren't cognitively or verbally able to process everything that happens to them (especially events that are traumatic). They also do not have the ability to discuss what is "bothering them" with a therapist, like a "grown up" would. Children lack the much needed insight to have a discussion about their emotions, fears, and memories, with a therapist. Enter Play Therapy. Play therapy works and here's how: It gives the child the chance to re-experience a bothersome/traumatic event (whether it is something happening daily, or just once, it doesn't matter) in an environment that is safe, under control, and therapeutic. When this happens, the child's brain is processing the event in a way he/she can cope with it, and then healing can begin. While the child is re-experiencing the trauma, the loss, the grief, the emotions, etc. through his/her play, it gives the power and control back to the child. Play therapy is powerful, and amazing. I am always honored to be a part of a child's healing journey. I am in awe of the child's own inner ability to heal through play. It is truly a gift to play with children every single day, and watch them change, grow, and overcome!