LaVerne Merritt-Morrison
Experienced LMHC focused on practical change
LMHC New York
- Experience
- 30 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Addictions, LGBT, Trauma and abuse
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
- Languages
- English
About LaVerne
LaVerne Merritt-Morrison draws on three decades of clinical work and graduate training in clinical counseling with a major in Addiction Counseling.
Background and approach
She holds a New York LMHC (NY LMHC 003287-1) and built extensive experience in substance use therapy, dual diagnosis care, and supportive housing for clients with chronic medical conditions. Over the years she has also completed specialized training in compulsive gambling and earned a Master Addiction Counselor grandfathering recognition from the National Certification Commission for Addiction Counselors.
Her style blends motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral techniques within a client-centered framework, focusing on meeting people where they are and helping them build practical skills. Areas of focus include addictions, trauma and abuse, anxiety and depression, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, and a range of personality and behavioral difficulties.
Merritt-Morrison emphasizes collaborative work that addresses coping with life changes, self-esteem, impulsivity, and patterns such as codependency or compulsive behaviors. Based in New York and fluent in English, she accepts international clients and offers varied session formats.
Her background combines theoretical training with long-term hands-on practice aimed at empowering clients to make meaningful changes.
Practical approaches for online growth and change
LaVerne Merritt-Morrison uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts and develop concrete strategies for coping with anxiety, depression, compulsions, and addictive behaviors. These techniques emphasize skill-building and measurable changes in daily routines and reactions.She also employs motivational interviewing to support clients who are ambivalent about change. This approach focuses on exploring personal values and strengths to increase readiness for action, which can be particularly useful for substance use, codependency, and other behavior change goals.
Choosing the right approach is collaborative; the therapist works with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they review progress and adjust techniques so the work remains practical and personally meaningful.
Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules or travel across time zones. These options allow continuity of care and ongoing access to licensed professionals regardless of location, supporting consistent work on recovery, coping skills, and life transitions.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Licensed
New York
Languages
English