Steven Merino, LMHC

Steven Merino is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in New York with ten years of professional experience. He focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma and abuse. Steven speaks English and Spanish and meets people with straightforward, respectful care.

He aims to create a calm space where people can talk through what feels overwhelming. Sessions are shaped around each person's needs, using clear goals and practical steps. Steven emphasizes listening first, then working together on ways to cope and build confidence.

His work includes addressing self-esteem, motivation, and challenges at work. He also helps people dealing with isolation, social anxiety, guilt, or questions about life purpose. He uses different therapy styles to match how someone prefers to work and what they want to change.

Steven combines direct skill-building with conversations that explore deeper patterns. That can mean practicing new ways to respond to stress, or looking at past experiences that still affect daily life. The focus is on making changes that feel manageable and useful.

People can expect a collaborative and steady approach. Steven explains options and helps set a plan that fits each person's schedule and needs. He supports progress one step at a time and adapts as goals shift.

How therapy approaches work online

Steven commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy while working online. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. Client-Centered Therapy centers on empathetic listening and helping people find their own answers, which can support confidence and self-worth.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide whether to focus on skills and practice, deeper exploration, or a mix of both, and they adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online sessions use video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to offer flexibility. Video is useful for fuller conversations and visual cues, while phone calls can fit into a short break or when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging suit brief check-ins, ongoing support, or when writing helps someone process thoughts. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and to keep momentum between meetings.