Merrie Haskins, MS, LPCC

Merrie Haskins provides therapy at MorningStar Counseling
Merrie Haskins, St. Paul, MN

About Merrie Haskins

Who I Help and How

Can you help me? That’s what you really need to know. I have been a therapist for 15 years. My focus has always been the unique, invisible mental health challenges people with disabilities experience. I help people to cope with their challenges and function better in their life: improve their ability to socialize, connect with others, and accomplish goals. I see couples and individuals both. I am able to see people anywhere in Minnesota as long as people are open to telemental health a.k.a. online therapy.

Approaches I use. First of all, I know that most people I see have anxiety that affects their life everyday. After that, everyone is so unique. I use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). One of the added benefits of EMDR is that it is a less verbal approaches (less emphasis on talking and listening to process and feel better). I also use skills training for people who need to know more exactly to do things and need some help practicing and managing new skills. These approaches can help people to stay strong, sane and better manage the stress in the face of some real struggles.  I also use person-centered approaches that help me to listen better to what you want. 

This is a place for you to be comfortable. This is a place where you are understood. We are also working on answers and solutions that will work for you and your family. What you feel is real. You are an expert on what matters to you. Still, you’ll be challenged to think about yourself in some new ways. We’ll be working at using some new approaches that can ease your struggles.

My Training & Education. A Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Minnesota, I have training and many hours of clinical supervision that involves observation and guidance. A state board provides oversight and I follow a code of ethics. Before I received my license, I attended graduate school at UW-Stout and received a Masters’ Degree (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2005. I’ve had additional training and experience in options counseling, helping people when they are adjusting to health changes, exploring choices and seeking help for care that make sense with your priorities.

I invite you to find helpful tips on my blog and reach out to me with any questions.