Merla Huntley, Clinical Social Worker in Lancaster, 93534

Merla A. Huntley, LCSW, BCD, CHT

Profession(s):
Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, Other
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
LCSW - LCS15209

My Approach to Helping

My philosophy is that clients and therapists should collaborate while working together to achieve the goals identified by the client at the onset of treatment. Those goals then become the driving force that leads the treatment to a path of positive results. The key to explore alternative thoughts, feelings and behaviors that have blocked the client's ability to function and redirect these to a more functional thought process which then evolves into a healthy and happy outcome.
Helping people of all ages and those who have problems leading them into therapy is a prime concern of mine. Assuring that they not only receive quality services but good aftercare is essential. The after math of services is sometimes overlooked. This community in which I practice is a "commuter community" problems build for parents, children, teens and families because of the lack of resources or clients inability to link into those resources. Our job does not stop when therapy sessions end; we have to take one step further.

More Info About My Practice

I take clients on a sliding scale
I take the following insurances:
Beech Street
Anthem Blue Cross
Blue Shield
College Health
Cigna
Compsych
Coventry
Health Net
Holman Group
Humana
Interpan
Magellan Behavioral Health
Medicare
Managed Health Networ (MHN)
Multiplan
Out of Network
PacifiCare
Private Health Care Systems
Preferred Mental Health Management
Tricare
Triwest
ValueOptions

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I am most experienced in dealing with anxiety and depression in both children and adults. I have had extensive experience in both the private and public sector dealing with these clients and assisting them with change to more positive and functional lives.

How Psychotherapy Can Help

A series of techniques are used by the clinician to assist the client in understanding, changing and exploring their symptoms thus making it possible to decrease symptoms that are creating dysfunctional behavior and increase positive important behaviors.

My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy

The purpose of psychotherapy is to decrease negative symptoms that are making life for the client a problem and replace them with positive thoughts, actions and feelings that will give the client a new outlook on life.

What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist

I love my job because of the happiness it brings others when they meet their goals and grow emotionally and mentally. My passion for mental health drives me to be creative, energetic and unique in the ways I help others.

Services I Provide

Individual Therapy & Counseling
Marriage, Couples, or Relationship Counseling
Family Therapy
Group Therapy
Mediation
Coaching
Consultation
Clinical Supervision
Other

Ages I Work With

Children
Teens
Adults

Languages I Speak

English

Groups I Work With

Children and Teens with very serious problems adjusting to life stages.
Couples with marital discord and relationship issues.
Bipolar clients having difficulty stabilizing their lives.
Depressed clients who have had difficulty moving out of the depression.
Clients who have become stuck believing they are to blame and attained shame.
Teens who are having not only typical age appropriate teen problems but excessive issues.
Transitions in life stages for all ages.
Clients who are in crisis and need immediate help.
Clients with anxiety issues and problems anxiety/stress causes.
Clients with difficulty with transitional issues.