Carleen Riley-Mercado

Carleen Riley-Mercado is a licensed therapist who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, anger, and depression. She also supports people facing parenting challenges and struggles with self-esteem. Carleen brings ten years of clinical experience and works from Kansas. Her approach centers on treating the whole person, including values, beliefs, and identity. She meets people from many backgrounds, including those who identify as LGBTQ+, people with Christian faith, non-religious clients, and those with conservative values. The focus is on building a respectful, honest relationship where someone feels heard. Carleen uses practical therapeutic tools to address problems like guilt, shame, control issues, and trauma recovery. Sessions often include learning skills to manage intense emotions, improving relationships, and building self-compassion. She also addresses workplace stress, caregiving strain, and life transitions in ways that fit each person. She draws from several evidence-informed approaches to tailor therapy to each person's needs. The work is collaborative: goals are set together and progress is reviewed along the way. Carleen emphasizes a gentle pace so people can work through painful material without becoming overwhelmed. People choosing therapy with her can expect direct conversation, clear goals, and techniques they can use between sessions. She aims to help people move toward greater clarity, balance, and emotional stability. To begin, prospective clients use the site’s Start Therapy process to match and schedule sessions.

How therapeutic approaches shape online sessions

ACT, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them. It focuses on clarifying personal values and taking practical steps toward them, which can help with anxiety, depression, and anger. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, low mood, and stress management.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss your goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful. That way, you can try techniques that match your situation and adjust as you go.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around work, caregiving, and daily routines. It can also allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, or reduce the need to travel. Licensed professionals guide the process and adapt methods to suit each person’s life and goals.