Merle Bombardieri, Clinical Social Worker in Lexington, 02420

Merle Ann Bombardieri, MSW, LICSW, ACHP-SW

Profession(s):
Clinical Social Work, Psychotherapy, Other
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - 102438

My Approach to Helping

"How will you be different when we say good-bye at the end of our work?" I ask my new clients. We'll build on the strengths you already have and the skills that have helped you so far with this problem. You'll desribe a time in the past when you mastered a problem or reached a goal you thought was impossible, and we will mine this memory for all it's worth. You'll also tell me which burdens will be lifted, and what will give you the most joy, meaning and satisfaction. What will you be capable of doing that you can't do yet?"

I don't feel daunted by your problem, because I can imagine you happy,and intuit which therapeutic approaches might help you. Having conducted psychotherapy/hypnotherapy for 35 + years, and experienced my own breakthroughs during meditation, creative writing,and psychotherapy, I know how much we are all capable of changing through authentic dialogue, creativity, and humor.

I love the pregnant moments when, in silence or conversation, you make exciting discoveries and open to your new life, and we sit in awe of your own mind's wisdom.

More Info About My Practice

Please contact me to talk about fees, insurance and discount information. I take indemnity insurance, PPO's, Blue Cross/Blue Shield. My regular fees are $145 for individual sessions, $150 for couple and family sessions, $175 for coaching and consultation. First session fees are $150 for individuals, $155 for couples and famiily.

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

Fertility and parenthood decision-making issues and planning for the transition to parenthood. I am the author of THE BABY DECISION, a contributor to OUR BODIES OURSELVES, and the former director of RESOLVE, the national infertility association. I am also a GoodTherapy topic expert for fertility issues.

My Role as a Therapist

In working with couples trying to decide whether or not to have children, working on becoming parents through fertility treatment or adoption, I reduce couple stress by teaching new ways of relieving stress, offer guidelines for constructive loving communication with humor and respect, and give self-exploration exercises and advice on decision-making and adapting to pregnany/parenting or to a childfree choice.

My Therapy Focus

I love the creative collaboration and intimacy of working together to lead you to freedom and peace of mind.

How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist

My own anxiety and physical tension as a young adult led to my growth through psychotherapy, meditation,relaxation training, and yoga. Experiencing emotional freedom as I got my training, married, had children, and wrote and published gives me firsthand knowledge of our great capacity for change.

Services I Provide

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

Ages I Work With

Adults
Elders

Languages I Speak

English

Groups I Work With

Calming anxiety through talk-therapy, mindfulness or hypnotherapy, turning anxiety into curiosity, anticipation, and energy

Positive psychology: building on strengths, moving toward happiness

Higher self-confidence and self-esteem through talking back to the critical voice

Infertility

Getting pregnant over 40

Single mothers by choice

Parenthood decision-making(author of The Baby Decision N.Y. Rawson Scribner's 1981)also transition to parenthood, staying close as a couple, managing friends/exercise/solitude

couples disagreeing on whether to have a child

adoption,donor egg/donor sperm: deciding,making it happen,adapting to parenthood

surrogacy

stopping infertility treatment

mindfulness/ mind-body connections

hypnotherapy for insomia, anxiety, peak performance PMS, menopause,pain,surgery,public speaking,grief

finding purpose/path/authentic voice through meditation, journal writing

Narrative therapy: changing the direction your life story is going in rewriting the story for a more satisfying life, gettining distance from/perspective on your problems

lovers of words who want to use storytelling, poetry reading and writing, journaling,essay writing, reading great literature for healing and insight

writers, artists, performers: peak performance, risk-taking, blocks,fear of failure and success, silencing the critical voice, strengthening the inner muse/coach,
creating your own cheering section by finding supportive,empowering people

patients with chronic pain or illness

caregivers

patients with terminal illness: finding comfort physically, psychologically, spiritually; pain control,considering hospice, family communication and forgiveness, storytelling and life review, mindfulness practices for patients and families.

grief or anticipatory grief