Mariam Opincar Merrin,

MA, LMHC, LPCC, SUDP

Thank you for reaching out. It is a bold step in hope — that you don’t have to do your life journey alone, that you can trust another to help you hold your challenges, and that you can experience a new freedom from these burdens. The majority of what makes therapy successful is the connection between therapist and client; it takes primacy over any skills or training you hope to gain. Therapy is about the right fit. So, to better determine whether we could work well together, here is a little background on me:

I completed my MA in Counseling at Sonoma State University in 2001 and later earned a graduate certificate in Addiction Studies from Eastern Washington University in 2020. However, between those years, I served clients in outpatient, inpatient, and partial hospitalization levels of care with clients experiencing complex trauma, substance use/addiction challenges, depression and anxiety. In outpatient/ or my private practice, I see many clients who want to live more fulfilling, engaged, authentic lives. Whether you want to work on a single issue or more a more enduring set of concerns that affect several aspects of your life, you are welcome here! My work is attachment based, highlighting the clients’ values, strengths, and inner resources. The client’s goals direct where the counseling goes so that you see the progress and gains you may have been seeking.

I consult weekly with professional colleagues to best serve my clients, and belong to the American Counselors Association (ACA), the California Association of Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC), the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), and Washington Mental Health Counselors Association (WMHCA). 

In my spare time, I love researching, writing, hiking, and immersing myself in music.