Grief, Self Esteem, Life Transition, Relationships, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma / PTSD, Anger Management, Divorce
Accepted insurance & self-pay
About Mercedes
Mercedes Dantzler is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 4 years of experience. She works well with teen boys with addressing anger management and ADHD. Mercedes is passionate with working with adult male and females who have difficulty with managing their anxiety, depression, relationship issues, social skills and trauma. She wants to ensure everyone is a healthy version of themselves.
Mercedes completed her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Alabama A&M University. She has worked at multiple substance abuse facilities with adults and teenagers assisting with creating the change they desperately seeked. She as worked in community health and gives dedications as well as grace to her clients due to being aware of environmental trauma. Mercedes utilizes multiple approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy (SFT), and person-centered therapy (PCT), to name a few.
Overall, Mercedes is motivated and dedicated to her clients when assisting with change, processing and growth. She will create a safe space to help process your barriers to becoming your whole self. Mercedes is a team player and she will help you through the process. Your therapy will be your safe space to experience being genuinely heard and seen.
"As a woman of color, I understand the stigma of always feeling that I can do it and I have to do it."
Get to know Mercedes
Why did you decide to become a counselor?
I became a counselor to be that support I wanted when I was a teenager. As an African American woman, I didn’t feel like I had a safe space to express myself and I want to be there for others that may feel the same.
What types of clients do you work with best?
I work well with adult males and females with various barriers, as well as teenage boys with challenges controlling their anger.
What type of clients are you most excited to work with?
I’m excited to work with clients who are shocked to learn the progress they can make with therapy as well as clients who didn’t know therapy was an option for them.
What's one thing you wish all clients knew?
I wish clients knew that asking for health is a sign of strength versus weakness.
Why did you choose to practice at Thriveworks?
Thrive work wants to effectively assist their clients by providing multiple options for them their clients to receive the adequate services they deserve.
What inspires you?
Knowing that one small moment or conversation can encourage someone to see their potential and ability.
What can clients expect in their first session with you?
Clients can expect to smile or hear one joke to ensure them that “Hey, we are going to talk about some heavy topics, however the goal is for you to leave lighter not heavier”. As well as understanding this is their safe space to be who they are and feel what they feel.
What do you want to accomplish with an individual in their first session?
I want to accomplish creating goals with the clients to assist with them achieving their therapy goals. I want my clients to feel comfortable and relaxed as well.
What should clients know about you before scheduling a first counseling session?
I am here to support you, not advise you, judge you or ridicule you.
What do you do for fun/on your time off?
I enjoy sleeping!!! No seriously, I enjoy traveling with my family, watching medical shows. I think in another life I was supposed to be a doctor, but overall I like to relax.
What's one thing about you that defines you (non-professional)?
Being calm and being able to do my best to not overreact to high intense situation.
Other areas of focus
Education and training
- Years in practice
- 5 years
- Graduating institute
- Alabama A&M University
- Graduating degree
- Masters in Counseling Psychology
Additional details
Practice information
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