Kimberly Merolla-Brito

Kimberly Merolla-Brito is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Rhode Island. She helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anger, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, addictions, sleep or eating difficulties, and life transitions. She uses a warm, straightforward style and focuses on practical steps that fit into daily life.

Kim draws on 15 years of clinical experience across different settings. She listens closely and works collaboratively to set clear, achievable goals. Sessions emphasize understanding what leads to strong emotions like anger, then learning concrete ways to respond differently in the moment.

Her approach blends client-centered care with cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness. That means sessions often include talking through current problems, spotting unhelpful thinking patterns, and trying small behavior changes or brief exercises between meetings. Motivational interviewing and existential ideas are used when they help clarify values and increase motivation.

Kim values respect and sensitivity and avoids stigmatizing labels. She helps people who are coping with trauma, attachment or family stress, caregiver strain, and related concerns such as commitment issues, codependency, and compassion fatigue. She supports people facing both short-term crises and longer-term struggles.

To begin, she asks people to describe where they are now and what they want to change. Then she helps build a plan with steps that feel manageable. Her focus is on practical progress and keeping clients in the driver seat of their care.

Approaches and online care that focus on changing what’s most helpful

Client-centered work means the therapist follows the person’s lead, asks questions about what matters most, and uses that information to set meaningful goals. This approach helps when someone needs to feel heard and to build a plan that fits their values and daily life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It helps people notice unhelpful thinking patterns and try small behavior changes to reduce anger, anxiety, or low mood. Mindfulness therapy teaches attention skills and simple practices to reduce reactivity and improve focus during stressful moments.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and how quickly they want to try concrete changes. Together they decide which approaches to emphasize and adjust tactics as progress is made.

If you are interested in online therapy, check the session format options before booking so you know what is offered. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, shorten commute time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people try exercises from their everyday environment. Confirm the specific session formats available with the therapist when you schedule.