Services
About My Clients
Are you feeling stuck in old patterns of trauma, anxiety, or relationships that no longer serve you? Many of my clients appear high-functioning on the outside but silently struggle with self-worth, shame, or pain from the past. I help adults heal from trauma, narcissistic abuse, and toxic relationships through EMDR and trauma-informed therapy, so they can feel more resilient, empowered, and free to live fully.
My Background and Approach
I have been working in the mental health field since 2007, beginning in residential treatment, transitional living, and outpatient care. Over the years I have supported clients in recovery from trauma, addiction, and relationship challenges, which led me to specialize in trauma therapy. I earned my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, where my program had a specialty in trauma. I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT #118720) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and advanced-trained in EMDR. My approach integrates EMDR with somatic resourcing, nervous system regulation, and parts work so clients can safely process the past and create lasting change. At Mercedes Cusick Therapy Services, I provide EMDR intensives, individual therapy, and clinical supervision for associates in training. My goal is to help clients reclaim resilience, self-worth, and freedom.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I believe that real healing begins when we feel safe, seen, and supported. I know this not just from my professional training, but from my own journey of doing deep inner work and living in long-term recovery for nearly two decades. This experience allows me to meet clients with empathy, without judgment, and with deep respect for the courage it takes to heal. I am committed to providing an inclusive and affirming space for all clients, and I am an LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapist and advocate. Beyond my practice, I am passionate about building recovery-oriented communities, mentoring new therapists, and reducing stigma around mental health and addiction. I’m also a wife and mother of a teenager, and recently renewed my childhood passion for jumping horses. My values — authenticity, resilience, and compassion — guide both my work and my life.