Jennifer Merva, LCSW

Jennifer Merva is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Long Beach, California. She has five years of experience providing direct therapy to children, youth, and families who present with concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, low motivation and self-esteem, grief and loss, and relationship or family difficulties.

Jennifer centers her work on building an empathic, supportive space where relationships and attachment patterns are seen as central to healing. She emphasizes how environments and interpersonal connections shape thoughts and behaviors, and she collaborates with clients to explore those connections and cultivate more adaptive ways of relating.

Her approach is strengths-based, helping clients identify and apply their existing resources to develop resilience and a more positive outlook. Clients work on practical skills and strategies to manage life stressors, resolve conflict more effectively, and strengthen relationships with themselves and others. The therapeutic relationship is collaborative, with goals set together to support meaningful change and renewed enjoyment in life.

Jennifer holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, earned in May 2019, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of San Francisco, completed in May 2012, with coursework focused on children, youth, and families and a minor in Child and Youth Studies. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she is qualified to provide clinical mental health services.

She has pursued additional professional development through certificates and trainings, including work on understanding male psychology in community mental health, approaches to ADHD beyond medication, art and play in therapy, mourning and loss, trauma-informed strategies for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences, autism spectrum disorder clinical guidance, and providing clinical services for African American men and youth experiencing trauma and grief. Her training background also includes motivational interviewing, problem solving therapy, compassion focused therapy, trauma-focused CBT related to bullying, eating disorders basics, effective parenting strategies, grief and loss, and suicide risk management and assessment.