Steve Merritt Counseling
Steve Merritt MA. L.M.H.C.
Steve Merritt Counseling
Steve Merritt MA. L.M.H.C.
“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness:
touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”
our lives are speaking to us
sometimes shouting and more often whispering, but speaking none-the-less.
Our job is to listen.
our lives are speaking to us
sometimes shouting and more often whispering, but speaking none-the-less.
Our job is to listen.
"Our lives are speaking to us."
Those five words are where we begin.
How do we listen to our lives? You will find it is much more than a task, it can be a privilege.
It is an opportunity that will take you places you couldn’t have dreamed. Having a professional walk along side you and help you look at your life, maybe truly even for the first time, can be as if breathing life back into your soul.
Like any journey, it will feel exhilarating but will also invite some twists and turns you hadn’t expected. And while some of those turns will be hard, with the right guidance and care they can lead to incredible places.
“See [life] for the fathomless mystery it is.”
That is what Buechner so apply describes, and what good counseling strives to do.
“See [life] for the fathomless mystery it is.”
That is what Buechner so apply describes, and what good counseling strives to do.
The human story is full of beautiful complexity. l seek to counsel in a way that does not re-traumatize you. I believe In a caring and grace filled atmosphere to help you deal with whatever has brought you to the point of seeking out help.
Specializing in Adolescents
Steve has worked with adolescents since he was a late adolescent himself. About 50% of his counseling practice is with this age group.
He thoroughly enjoys working with all ages, but finds great joy and fulfillment working with young people.
While it can be true that adolescents are full of complexity and even impulsivity, Steve finds the age group to be highly dynamic, engaging, and completely rewarding to work with.
Their honesty, passion, imagination and openness is something Steve thrives with in his sessions. (See "Adolescent" Tab for more information.)
Decades of Experience
Steve has been counseling professionally for over 40 years, not including years of working with teenagers in various capacities since his early twenties.
He began in college teaching at summer camps in his home state of Colorado, then moved on to be a YMCA youth director in Bellingham WA. After several years, he then began leading youth groups, retreats, camps, and wilderness trips with literally hundreds, if not thousands of young people over the course of those earlier years.
Steve has essentially been working with people his whole adult life. He has always enjoyed working and caring for people of all ages.
He has clocked over 30,000 clinical hours of counseling during his lifetime.
Published Author
Steve is a published author having written the personal growth column of GROUP Magazine for over a decade.
He has also taught at two nationally recognized universities as well as at the graduate school level.
Steve was a faculty member for Trinity Western University/Bellingham Campus for over a decade, where he taught courses on Adolescent Psychology, Counseling Theories and Helping Skills.