Merari Flores Saldana contracts with Wellness Psychological Services to offer services in both our Tampa and St. Pete offices as well as remote video services online across the state of Florida.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Florida State University. I am bilingual in English and Spanish and have worked with adolescents and adults across various levels of care, offering both individual and group therapy using evidence-based practices.
As a licensed clinical social worker, I work with people who are navigating trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, and other life challenges. I approach therapy with compassion, structure, and a deep respect for each person’s unique experience. I believe healing happens in safe, supportive spaces where clients feel understood, empowered, and engaged in their own growth. My style is collaborative and active where I work alongside you to identify patterns, build practical coping tools, and reconnect with your values and strengths. I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches, including cognitive-behavioral, acceptance-based, trauma-informed, and mindfulness-based therapies, tailoring treatment to meet your
individual needs and goals. Whether you’re navigating a current challenge or processing painful past experiences, I strive to create a space where you feel grounded, supported, and capable of meaningful change.
TRAUMA & PTSD SPECIALIZATION
In my work with trauma and PTSD, I use proven trauma-focused therapies to help clients process what they’ve been through and begin to reclaim a sense of safety and self-trust. I am trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Written Exposure Therapy (WET), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT). Depending on your needs, we may focus on building emotional regulation skills, understanding trauma-related beliefs, or reducing avoidance so you can move forward with less fear and more freedom. I always move at a pace that feels manageable and emphasize both resilience and nervous system regulation as part of the healing process.
I also integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and grounding in the present moment. Many clients benefit from building awareness of how trauma is held in the body, so I incorporate mindfulness-based practices tools to help you feel more connected, safe, and in control of your internal experience. My goal is to support not just insight and cognitive healing, but also emotional and physiological integration-so you can feel more whole and empowered moving forward.
OCD & ANXIETY DISORDERS SPECIALIZATION
When working with OCD and anxiety disorders, I prioritize helping clients face fears gradually and intentionally through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a gold-standard treatment for OCD. I also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to support clients in increasing openness to thoughts and emotions, shifting unhelpful patterns, and living with more flexibility and purpose. My goal is to help you reduce the impact of anxiety on your daily life while learning how to relate to your thoughts with greater clarity and confidence. Treatment is paced thoughtfully, and I work collaboratively with you to build the tools and insights you need to feel more grounded and capable in your daily life.
DEPRESSION SPECIALIZATION
For clients struggling with depression, I focus on helping you break out of stuck cycles and reconnect with meaning, motivation, and self-worth. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including behavioral activation strategies, to help you identify unhelpful thought patterns and re-engage with activities that bring a sense of purpose, enjoyment, or structure. I also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to reconnect with your values and sense of direction, along with DBT and mindfulness-based strategies to improve emotional regulation and build everyday coping skills. I believe that depression affects both the mind and the body, so our work may also involve grounding techniques and mind-body awareness to help you feel more present and engaged in your daily life.
OTHER ADULT PSYCHOTHERAPY SPECIALIZATIONS
- Grief and loss
- Life transitions and adjustment issues
- Self-esteem
- Social anxiety
- Panic disorder