About Therapy & Coaching
When working with artists and creatives, I’ve found that the best approach typically blends therapy with coaching.
Therapy focuses on 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. It will help you with a specific personal or professional goal 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 help you make decisions about your career development and trajectory, as well as offer various tools you can use to meet your goals.
Consulting
I also offer consulting services for those interested in becoming licensed therapists and for graduate students wanting to learn more about navigating the licensing process and private practice world. My consulting rates are the same as my individual therapy and coaching rates.
Treatment Length
Ideally, therapy ends when all your goals have been met. If you entered therapy to treat stage fright and you no longer fear getting on stage, your work is complete. Or if you want to communicate better with your coworkers and you’ve learned to navigate those relationships and can communicate constructively, the goals are met.
Many clients have goals that are less specific, like improving confidence or reducing stress. Therapy may end when you’ve learned the skills necessary to do this on an ongoing basis. Some meet their goals in a few months, others spend years in therapy, formulating new goals as their lives improve and evolve. As long as you’re benefiting from therapy and we have something specific to focus on, we can continue working together.
Fees
Standard Rates
Individual Therapy & Coaching 50-Minute Session: $200
Clinical Consulting: Private Practice Business & Clinical Psychology Students 50-Minute Session: $200
Individual 30-Minute Session: $100
Band/Group: Three Members or Less. 75-Minute Session: $350
Band/Group: Four Members or Less. 75-Minute Session: $450
I reserve two reduced-fee appointment slots in my practice on an on-going basis. They are first come first served and based on financial need. *Please note: these are currently full.
THERAPY GRANTS
If you are a music industry professional or a working musician with 5+ years of professional music career history, and/or 6+ credits on commercially released songs, you may qualify for a MusiCares or Sweet Relief Psychotherapy grant. Other grants options are available for entertainment/film/TV workers. Please contact me for more details and a personal introduction to a non-profit representative get your grant application started.
Package Rates
Discounted rates are available by purchasing a therapy or coaching sessions package. This is a great way to invest and commit to your mental health & well-being.
3-Month Package: $2,280 payable upfront - includes (12) 50-min sessions.
6-Month Package: $4,488 payable upfront - includes (24) 50-min sessions.
INSURANCE
We are in-network with Aetna Health insurance in California.
**For other health plans, Christy can issue a “super bill” at the end of each month for submission to your insurance company. All clients wishing to use this option should first contact their insurance company and ask if reimbursement for “out-of-network” clinicians/therapy visits is provided. (It is at the discretion of each particular insurance company as to whether or not they will reimburse for out-of-network clinician sessions).
LocationS
Los Angeles
5478 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
See Photos of Christy's Office
&
San Clemente
249 Avenida Montalvo
San Clemente, CA 92672
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."
- Tommy Hubbard, Longtime Client
"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 with who our clients have had a positive experience time and time again. She is also incredibly easy to work with and a great communicator."
- Hannah Kulis, MusiCares Foundation
"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, M.A., LMFT
Confidentiality
All information shared in session is confidential except in circumstances governed by the laws of the state of California including the mandatory reporting of alleged harm to self or others, and in case of child, handicapped person, or elder abuse.
Cancellations
For clients paying individual session fees:
Written or verbal notice must be given at least 24-hours prior to your intended absence. Late cancellations and no-shows will be charged at your individual session rate. If you are sick, please be mindful of your fellow patients and notify me as soon as possible. I can provide Telehealth or we can reschedule your session for when you are feeling better.
For clients using packages:
You may cancel your appointments at any time (no advanced notice is required). You can make up the session anytime that I have available during your 3 or 6-month time frame, but you are not required to.
Get Started
Just click the button and you’ll be taken to an online form. Fill out the form and I’ll give you a call within 1-2 business days to discuss your needs.