Hello! My name is Jennifer Merva and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Long Beach, California. I have 6 years of experience providing direct therapy to children, youth and families with a variety of presenting issues including stress, anxiety and depression, low motivation and self-esteem, grief and loss and relationship and family issues. We live in such a fast-paced society it can be difficult to prioritize our mental health. It’s easy to distract ourselves and bury our issues instead of facing them head-on. I will provide a safe, empathic space for you. I believe relationships and attachments are crucial for healing. Our connections matter. Your environment and relationships are interconnected and can have a huge impact on your thoughts and behaviors. My therapeutic approach is strengths-based. You are already coming in with so many strengths! I am here to help you identify them and use them as skills. You will develop a more positive outlook and improve your resiliency. I am here to help you work though conflict in healthier ways. You will learn skills and strategies to manage the stressors of life. We can work on strengthening your relationships; both with yourself and others. Together we can help you find the joy and happiness of life again. Our therapeutic relationship will be a collaborative one. I will work with you to help reach your goals. I want to thank you for taking the time to tend to your needs. I look forward to meeting you and helping you along this journey. Education • The University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Master of Social Work May 2019 • The University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; Department: Children, Youth & Families Minor: Child & Youth Studies May 2012 Certificates • Understanding Male’s Psychology in Community Mental Health November 2023 • Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication October 2023 • Art and Play in Therapy February 2023 • The Faraway-Nearby of Loss: How We Mourn October 2022 • Trauma Informed Strategies: Working with Individuals with ID/DD/ASD for Clinical Staff April 2022 • Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Clinical Guide for General Practitioners April 2021 • Providing Clinical Services to African American Men/Youth Experiencing Trauma Grief April 2021 • Providing Care for Clients who Identify as Trans, Nonbinary and/or Gender Nonconforming March 2021 • Domestic Violence in the Lives of Children March 2021 Trainings • Motivational Interviewing (MI) • Problem Solving Therapy (PST) • Compassion Focused Therapy • Trauma-Focused CBT, Bullying • Eating Disorders 101 • Effective Parenting Strategies • Grief and Loss • Suicide Risk Management and Assessment