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Your Trusted Therapist in Berkeley, CA
Molly Merson, MFT is a licensed psychotherapist and psychoanalyst with nearly two decades of experience in clinical practice. Our approach centers on deep, intentional listening to help clients navigate anxiety, inner critic struggles, creative blocks, grief, and systemic challenges. We specialize in working with individuals who feel marginalized, including queer, trans, neurodiverse, and class-crossing communities, as well as therapists seeking personal and professional growth. Our practice integrates liberation psychology, decolonial theory, and trauma-informed care to address root causes of suffering.We offer both weekly psychotherapy and intensive psychoanalysis, with sessions available online or in-person. Our commitment extends to fostering social justice awareness and creating accessible, inclusive therapeutic spaces. With advanced training in psychodynamic and relational modalities, we provide tailored support for complex issues like intergenerational trauma, eating disorders, and existential crises. Our goal is to help clients reconnect with their authentic selves, build resilience, and cultivate meaningful relationships with themselves and others.
Services
Psychotherapy
Psychoanalysis
Clinical Consultation
Therapist Supervision
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Anxiety Treatment
Grief Counseling
Eating Disorder Support
Social Justice Counseling
Private Practice Consultation
Highlights and features
- We offer 18+ years of clinical experience in psychodynamic and trauma-informed therapy
- Our practice integrates social justice, decolonial theory, and liberation psychology
- We provide both online and in-person session options for accessibility
- Our sliding scale fees accommodate financial need when available
- We specialize in working with marginalized communities and mental health professionals
What people say
Deeply trust her judgment
Profound empathy
Sensitive and edgy
Transformational impact
Innate curiosity
Services
Psychotherapy
Our psychotherapy services provide a safe, collaborative space for clients to explore emotional challenges and life difficulties. Using psychodynamic and relational approaches, we help clients understand patterns in their thoughts, feelings, and relationships. This process supports lasting personal growth and improved mental well-being through weekly sessions tailored to each client's unique needs and goals.
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis offers deeper exploration of unconscious patterns through more frequent sessions (3-5 times weekly). This intensive format allows for profound self-discovery and transformation by examining recurring life themes, dreams, and relational dynamics. Our approach integrates contemporary psychoanalytic theory with social justice perspectives to address both personal and systemic influences on mental health.
Clinical Consultation
We provide consultation for therapists facing clinical challenges or seeking professional development. Our services include case conceptualization, countertransference exploration, and business development guidance. With expertise in trauma-informed care and social justice frameworks, we help clinicians enhance their practice while maintaining ethical, sustainable work boundaries and approaches.
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Our trauma-informed therapy addresses the complex impacts of personal, intergenerational, and systemic trauma. Using a somatically aware, relational approach, we help clients develop safety, regulation, and self-compassion. This specialized care considers how trauma affects mind, body, and relationships while honoring each client's unique healing journey and cultural context.
Social Justice Counseling
This specialized counseling addresses the mental health impacts of systemic oppression and social inequities. We help clients navigate experiences related to race, gender, class, and other identity factors through a decolonial, liberation-oriented framework. Our approach validates systemic challenges while supporting personal empowerment and community connection for marginalized individuals and activists.
People
Molly Merson
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Molly Merson is a Berkeley-based psychotherapist with 18 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master's in Social Clinical Psychology and is a psychoanalysis candidate at the Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California. Molly specializes in trauma, social justice, and working with marginalized communities.
Questions
What types of therapy do you offer?
We offer both psychotherapy (weekly sessions) and psychoanalysis (3-5 times weekly). Our approach integrates psychodynamic, relational, and trauma-informed modalities tailored to each client's needs.
Do you accept insurance?
We don't accept insurance directly but can provide receipts for PPO insurance reimbursement. Our fee is $275 for 50 minutes with limited sliding scale options available.
Are online sessions available?
Yes, we primarily offer clinical services online via video or telephone. In-person sessions are available in Berkeley with advance notice for accessibility needs.
What are your areas of specialization?
We specialize in trauma, anxiety, inner critic work, social justice counseling, and supporting marginalized communities including queer, trans, and neurodiverse individuals.
Do you offer therapist consultation?
Yes, we provide clinical consultation for therapists seeking case conceptualization support, countertransference exploration, or professional development guidance in private practice settings.
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