- 30 years experience
- Addiction focus
- Client-centered care
About LaVerne
LaVerne Merritt-Morrison is a New York-based licensed mental health counselor with 30 years of experience. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a major in Addiction Counseling and the LMHC credential. LaVerne focuses on practical help for people facing substance use, mood concerns, relationship stress, and codependency.
Her early career emphasized addiction treatment and compulsive behaviors. She has extensive work with substance use therapy and dual diagnosis, and experience in transitional housing for people with chronic medical conditions. That mix of clinical and hands-on work shaped a straightforward style.
Sessions are led from a client-centered stance. LaVerne uses motivational interviewing to help clients find their own reasons to change. She also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to identify unhelpful thinking and build different habits.
In the room she keeps things direct and respectful. Conversations are aimed at clear goals and doable steps. She helps people talk through shame, guilt, and patterns that get in the way of healthier choices.
LaVerne often addresses issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, sexual intimacy concerns, parenting strain, and life transitions. She also works with concerns like abandonment, impulsivity, obsessive behaviors, and personality-related patterns. Her background includes specialty training in compulsive gambling and long experience with addiction-related care.
How her approaches translate to online work
LaVerne uses client-centered therapy to follow each person's pace and priorities, helping them feel heard and respected. That approach focuses on listening and building a collaborative relationship before setting goals.She also uses motivational interviewing to help people uncover their own reasons to change and to move toward actionable steps. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to name unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors that reduce distress and improve daily functioning.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. She will discuss goals and preferences and adapt the methods to what feels most useful. That collaboration helps determine whether a focus on motivation, thinking patterns, or a mix of both is the best path.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current session options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals can use online sessions to continue steady work on motivation, cravings, mood, and relationship patterns while fitting therapy into everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Credentials
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She supports people facing addictions, anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship or intimacy-related issues. Additional focuses include codependency, compulsive behaviors, impulsivity, and personality-related concerns.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is direct and client-centered. She uses motivational interviewing to build motivation and cognitive behavioral therapy to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
How long has she been practicing?
She has three decades of professional experience, including many years in substance use treatment and work with dual diagnosis.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a New York LMHC and practices in New York state.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current session options before booking.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.