Christy  Merriner
Zencare Vetted

Christy Merriner

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT Master of Arts, MA
California, New York Accepting Online
Fairfax/Mid-Wilshire Accepting In-person
Updated June 29, 2022

Specialties & Expertise

  • Therapy for creatives and artists
  • Career counseling
  • Anxiety
  • ADHD
  • Life transitions
  • Stress management
  • LGBTQI+, transgender, and sexual reassignment counseling

Professional statement

As a steward of the arts, Christy has unique insight into the lives of creatives who may feel misaligned with therapists who do not possess first-hand experience or knowledge of the complexities of the entertainment business.

Christy landed her first music job at age 16 as a retail clerk at an independent record store (back when those existed). 15 years later and well into her career as an artist manager in NYC, she was plagued by a series of unfortunate events which included a break up with a toxic work environment, a near-death experience, and a revelation that led her to put a pause on her music management lifestyle to explore her inner world.

While in her own therapy, Christy realized she had been ignoring her artistic and analytical mind and that she needed a career shift to allow her to embrace these strengths. Christy is passionate about a multitude of seemingly unconnected things: psychology, creativity, neuroscience, spirituality, fitness, marine biology, indie rock to dub music, and philanthropy.

Christy loves being a therapist. She feels honored to assist her clients as they reconnect with themselves, and regain their voice -- including rediscovering their unique set of strong suits, their personality, their sense of humor, and their spirit. Christy believes that gifts and obstacles are what give clients the power to change their lives. Her approach incorporates strengths-based techniques through the lens of mindfulness, helping clients emphasize their innate talents, strengthen their self-compassion, and hone techniques that calm the body and mind.

Christy's office is located in Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, CA on Wilshire Blvd. Christy is accepting new clients for in-person sessions, walk and talk therapy, or phone sessions while COVID-19 restrictions are in place for the City of LA. Christy also provides Telehealth coaching to clients nationwide and internationally.


Message to clients

When working with clients, I’ve found that the best approach typically blends therapy with coaching. Therapy focuses on unpacking and understanding your problems and barriers. We’ll investigate what makes you tick, how you see the world and the conflicts that are nestled deep in your unconscious mind. You can derive such benefits as increased self-esteem, better use of your skills and strengths, and an improved capacity for developing and maintaining more satisfying relationships.

Coaching is about finding solutions to help you with a specific personal or professional goals by providing education, guidance, and practical action steps. We might focus on your personal life, self-care, or developing a particular skill. Coaching can also support you to make decisions about your career development and trajectory, as well as offer various tools you can use to meet your goals and lead a more satisfying life.


Specialties

Therapy for creatives and artists - Understanding of highly creative minds; goal setting related to the artistic and creative process; support finding meaningful balance in one’s life

Career counseling - Support around personal and professional growth; clarifying goals and steps to building a fulfilling career and meaningful work-life balance

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

ADHD - Skill-building and support around organizational challenges, distracted attention, procrastination; building and maintaining healthy routines and structure

Life transitions - Coping with difficult or impactful life changes, such as moving to a new area, relationship transitions, child rearing, or career changes; learning self-care to better manage resulting stress

Stress management - Strengthening effective ways of coping with the stress of life and change; managing expectations of self and others

LGBTQI+, transgender, and sexual reassignment counseling - Exploring topics of sexuality, gender, and identity; coping with discrimination and oppression; navigating relationship, family, and cultural challenges




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Teenagers (13-18)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

Christy Merriner is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.


Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $250 (60min)
  • Sliding scale: $196 - $250
  • Initial session: $250 (60min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
  • PayPal
  • Venmo
  • Zelle
  • IvyPay
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Every other week
  • Every other month
  • Multiple times a week
  • As needed
Therapist's note

Christy can help musicians and/or those working professionally in the music industry (both on the business and creative sides) apply for and potentially obtain MusiCares grants, which can be used to pay for therapy with Christy. Applicants must have 5+ years of professional music career history, and/or 6+ credits on commercially released songs to qualify for a MusiCares Psychotherapy grant. Please contact Christy directly for more details.


Location(s)

Fairfax/Mid-Wilshire practice
5478 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 215, Los Angeles, California 90036
Accepting new clients in-person
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 11:00am-7:00pm
  • Tue 11:00am-7:00pm
  • Wed 11:00am-7:00pm
  • Thu 11:00am-7:00pm
  • Fri 11:00am-7:00pm
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Online Sessions (California)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 11:00am-7:00pm
  • Tue 11:00am-7:00pm
  • Wed 11:00am-7:00pm
  • Thu 11:00am-7:00pm
  • Fri 11:00am-7:00pm
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Online Sessions (New York)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 2:00pm-10:00pm ET
  • Tue 2:00pm-10:00pm ET
  • Wed 2:00pm-10:00pm ET
  • Thu 2:00pm-10:00pm ET
  • Fri 2:00pm-10:00pm ET
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Private Practice, 2018 - Present
Insight Psychotherapy Group, 2017 - 2018
Valley Community Counseling Clinic, 2016 - 2018
Artist Manager and Record Label Professional, 2000 - 2015

Antioch University, MA, Clinical Psychology, 2016
Fordham University, BA, Communication & Media Studies, 2005


Licensure

California: 117143


Languages

English


Professional endorsements

"I work for a charity that provides grants for therapy to individuals in the music industry. I consistently refer our clients to Christy Merriner – she is an exceptional therapist who our clients have had a positive experience with time and time again. She is also incredibly easy to work with and a great communicator."

- Hannah Kulis, Executive Assistant, MusiCares Foundation • August 2020

"Christy is acutely attuned to the needs of her clients. She has a rare ability for combining depth work with aspects of coaching, so that those she counsels can meet their treatment goals."

- Marcella Haro, MFT • June 2020

Client testimonials

"Christy is a staple in my life. Life is simply better with her than without. She’s attentive, she’s caring, and I trust her on so many levels. She provides a very comfortable and safe space to open up. I couldn’t recommend her enough."
- Longtime client • June 2020

Publications