Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Woodland Hills, CA

Hello and welcome! My name is Shannon Merritt and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT). I am based in Southern California and offer telehealth services to clients across the state. My expertise includes supporting individuals through life transitions, managing depression and anxiety, coping with loss, and addressing various mental health challenges. I am also passionate about helping people recover from addiction and/or trauma.

I draw from various modalities and tailor my approach to each individual and their specific needs. I aim to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel at ease, can build resilience, and ultimately thrive. My communication style is straightforward, calm, and approachable. I offer clear and honest feedback in order to foster clients' wellbeing while developing hope for their future.

In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. Clients can expect to develop valuable insight and gain the tools needed to make meaningful changes in their lives.

I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), working in private practice as a Psychotherapist. I live in Los Angeles, and work in-person or hybrid, with adults, teens, couples and the aging population. I specialize in anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, work stress/dissatisfaction, career goals, sleep disorders, substance use, trauma (ptsd/complex/acute), obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD/OCPD), attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD). In addition I deal with grief, isolation, and breaking creative blocks.

I've found that building a strong relationship is the foundation of any successful therapy. My grounding philosophy is to meet people where they are at and to tailor my knowledge and experience to help them get to where they want to be. My ideal clients are those motivated, committed, and open to exploring various parts of the inner self and how these parts motivate, protect, grieve, and organize us for action.

I believe therapy and psychiatric care should feel human, not clinical, rushed, or impersonal. My goal is to create a space where you feel genuinely heard, respected, and supported from the very first conversation. I take time to understand your story, your values, and what you want your life to look like, not just your symptoms.

I bring over a decade of experience working in mental health and addiction, and I use a balanced approach that blends evidence-based treatment with compassion and real connection. I do not believe in one-size-fits-all care. Your treatment is collaborative, flexible, and designed to support long-term growth, not just short-term relief.

Above all, you should know that you will not be treated like a diagnosis. You will be treated like a person.

As a PMHNP-BC, I offer medication management and therapy sessions via Telehealth Mon-Fri 0900- 19:00.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington, DC. I provide psychotherapy to adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions.

I currently work with the Integrative Digestive Health team at UCLA Health and also provide therapy through Lyra Health. I bring extensive experience across medical and mental health settings, including six years as a liver transplant social worker at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, work on the first COVID unit at George Washington University Hospital, and leadership roles in community mental health organizations in Washington, DC.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and client-centered, grounded in trauma-informed care. I primarily use cognitive behavioral and solution-focused therapies while tailoring treatment to each individual. I have particular expertise in trauma, the intersection of physical and mental health, and interpersonal relationships. I offer both short- and long-term therapy and believe meaningful change happens in a space that feels safe, supportive, and authentic.

I am happy to provide a free 15-minute consultation (upon request) to ensure a good fit. To request a consultation, please email: [email protected].

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, hiking in the Los Angeles mountains, kayaking, and spending time with my rescue dog, Sophia.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) degree from the University of Massachusetts Global. I have experience working with adolescents and adults in multiple settings facing various complex mental health issues, including OCD, depression, anxiety, ADHD and mood disorders.

I believe people carry far more strength, clarity, and resilience than they often realize. My role is to help you understand the emotional patterns and internal narratives that shape your experience, so you can move through life with greater freedom and self‐trust. I’m engaged, attuned, and honest in the room — offering reflection, insight, and steady collaboration as we explore what’s happening beneath the surface. We work at a pace that feels grounded for you, creating space for real change to germinate.