About Me
Meritt Drake
Liscensed Clinical Social Worker in Pennsylvania
Originally from the Southwest, I earned my bachelor's degree in writing from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. My path to becoming a therapist has been shaped by a wide range of experiences, including serving in the Peace Corps in The Gambia, West Africa, working with grassroots organizations through the United Nations, teaching elementary school students, and supporting diverse communities throughout New York City. These experiences ultimately led me to pursue my Master's Degree in Social Work at New York University.
Since relocating to Philadelphia, I have focused my clinical work on helping adults navigate trauma, anxiety, burnout, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I have experience providing individual, group, couples, and family therapy, and have worked extensively with healthcare professionals and others in helping roles who are accustomed to caring for everyone except themselves.
Outside of therapy, I share my home with two cats and a dog, all of whom occasionally make guest appearances during telehealth sessions. I'm an avid reader and always welcome book recommendations. I also enjoy fiber arts, acrylic painting, and oil painting, and value creativity as an important source of balance, self-expression, and connection.
My Approach
My approach to therapy is strengths-based, collaborative, and tailored to the individual. My clinical training is grounded in a psychodynamic perspective, which means I believe our past experiences often shape how we understand ourselves, relate to others, and respond to challenges in the present. Because of this, our work may involve exploring both current concerns and the patterns or experiences that have contributed to them.
While I draw from evidence-based approaches including EMDR, cognitive and behavioral therapies, and other trauma-informed modalities, I don't believe therapy should be a one-size-fits-all process. Together, we'll find an approach that fits your goals, personality, and learning style. For some people, that may involve practical skills and strategies; for others, it may involve deeper exploration, insight, and processing.
Therapy with me tends to feel more like a genuine conversation than a lecture or a series of worksheets. My style is warm, relaxed, and conversational. I value authenticity and believe that growth can occur alongside humor, curiosity, and self-compassion. My goal is to create a space where you feel supported and understood, while also feeling challenged to examine old patterns, build on your existing strengths, and move toward meaningful change.
“I believe that a different therapy must be constructed for each patient, because each has a unique story. ”
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Cognitive Processing Therapy
CBT for Nightmares and Insomnia
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Advanced training regarding use for trauma and anxiety
Schema Therapy
Narrative Therapy
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Advanced training in:
IFS techniques for EMDR
Physical pain protocols
Flash technique
Attachment work
DBT skills for PTSD
Mindfulness and meditation
Ego Therapy and Parts Work