Nicole Merhaut , LMFT

Nicole Merhaut is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who brings a compassionate, goal-oriented approach to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s difficulties. Born and raised in California, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cal Poly Pomona in 2009 and later moved to Florida to complete a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University in 2015. She also completed certifications in Applied Behavior Analysis and in Addictive and Compulsive Behaviors in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

With eight years of clinical experience, Nicole has worked in community mental health as a Targeted Case Manager and Master Level Practitioner before becoming a licensed therapist. She has supported children, adolescents, adults, couples, and blended families facing stress, anxiety, depression, anger, relationship and parenting concerns, trauma and abuse, substance misuse, eating and intimacy-related issues, and challenges related to ADHD, chronic pain, and family-of-origin dynamics.

As an LMFT - a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in relational and systemic work - she blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients identify unhelpful patterns, set achievable goals, and build practical skills. Nicole offers a warm, nonjudgmental style focused on collaboration and measurable progress, helping clients move toward clearer priorities and more effective coping.

Practical Approaches and Flexible Online Care

Nicole integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy into her online practice. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) examines how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact and teaches practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and anger while building healthier habits. Solution-Focused Therapy is a brief, goal-directed method that concentrates on strengths and concrete steps toward the future, helping clients clarify goals and identify small, attainable changes that lead to progress.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Nicole works with clients to match therapeutic methods to their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress is made and priorities shift. This partnership helps ensure that treatment stays relevant and effective for each person.

Online therapy offers practical benefits for busy lives - sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to connect from different locations and schedules. These options increase flexibility and accessibility, allowing clients to maintain continuity of care and to apply new skills in day-to-day situations with the support of licensed professionals and therapists experienced in remote delivery.