Merced, CA Local Support & Community Resources

Susan Baldasano, LMFT, is a dedicated Marriage and Family Therapist who believes in the transformative power of counseling. She excels in working with individuals, families, and children across a range of ages, from preteens to elders. With experience in private practice and collaborating with foster care and adoption agencies, Susan possesses a deep understanding of the complexities of relationships, including marriage, divorce, blended families, and parenting. She is particularly adept at addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, and pain disorders, all of which can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. Susan emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and contentment in life while providing support for navigating communication challenges. Known for her empathetic and understanding approach, she specializes in psychodynamic, behavioral, and attachment-based therapies, in addition to utilizing play therapy for children. As a generational therapist, Susan explores past influences that shape current behaviors and relationships, allowing clients to gain insight into their family dynamics. In certain cases, she also facilitates group therapy sessions to foster connection and growth among participants.

Jacqueline Gordon is a dedicated Counselor (LPCC, CADC II) who understands the profound challenges faced by individuals and couples navigating emotional and mental turmoil. With a strong belief that the best time to embark or re-embark on one’s personal journey is now, Jacqueline provides comprehensive online psychotherapy services tailored to teens, adults, and elders. Her approach is culturally competent, recognizing the significant influences of culture, socioeconomic factors, and ethnicity on mental health. Jacqueline establishes a safe, nurturing, and nonjudgmental environment to empower her clients in addressing their concerns and challenges. With over 20 years of experience, Jacqueline helps clients to uncover, discover, and recover from the depths of depression, trauma and PTSD, and anxiety. She expertly utilizes a blend of Narrative Therapy, DBT, Trauma Therapy, REBT, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing to foster emotional healing and encourage personal growth. Her empathetic and compassionate demeanor allows her to connect deeply with her clients, guiding them as they take the courageous first step toward achieving emotional well-being and wholeness. By creating a strong therapist-client alliance, Jacqueline ensures that her clients receive the support they need on their path to recovery.

Amber Hayslett-Atkinson, a dedicated Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT, MS), understands the importance of waking up every day excited about life. She recognizes the anxiety and uncertainty that many face during these challenging times. With a range of therapeutic approaches—including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Art Therapy, and Family Systems therapy—Amber offers a compassionate and tailored experience to fit individual needs. Whether working with preteens, children, teens, or adults, she is committed to creating a supportive environment where clients can explore their feelings and find peace amidst the chaos. Even in these times of social distancing, Amber ensures that her clients can engage in therapy from the comfort of their own homes, helping them to navigate their emotions and mental health challenges. With a focus on depression, anxiety, and grief, she is here to guide individuals and families on their journey toward emotional well-being.