Leslie Merrick, MSW, LCSW          (Murray & Downtown)

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”  Maya Angelou

I firmly believe that we all do the best we can with the knowledge we have at any given moment in our lives. If there has been a time in your life when you have felt “I should have done better,” it is OK and very normal to feel that way. It is when we recognize the need to do better, that we can make changes in our lives. Taking the step to get help will be the action that makes all the difference in your life. At Empowered Me Counseling Centers, we focus on creating a safe environment for clients to share and heal.

People often presume all therapists are good listeners, yet many often do more of the talking. I am truly a “listener” that seeks to respond directly to what I hear. My approach to working with clients is to start with their strengths, meaning everyone has the potential inside to heal and choose the life they want to live. We will look at the connection between the mind and body and how trauma affects our abilities to make decisions. With an understanding of the trauma impact, we will work to remap your mind and body patterns. Therapists are often asked, “can you just tell me what to do?” My approach is to work with you through questions focused on your unique situation. These questions have so often yielded an “aha” moment. Your mind provides the answer you were seeking all along. I have the pleasure of the “universe” providing your solution, and then we can work together and come up with a plan that you can act on, to move forward

Often working with clients struggling with substance abuse, they arrive and wonder about being judged by their therapist. Friends and clients alike attest to my open, honest, non-judgmental, & empathetic approach to working with you. I am in awe of the strength it takes to seek help in establishing a course of action to recover and gain stability.

Availability:   Downtown SLC on Tuesdays  11-6

                           Murray – Thursdays 11AM – 6PM

Amber Witten, Clinician   Master’s Psychology, CSW Intern     (Murray)

 “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” – Carl Jung.

Are you trying your best and still feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just plain depressed? Perhaps you’ve wanted to move forward from trauma or loss, but something is holding you back. Maybe you can’t pinpoint what’s wrong, yet you know life can feel and be better. That drive for change has led you to seek a guide, and I want to help you become your authentic self, connecting your mind, body, heart, and soul.

 My journey to be a clinician started as a teenager. Witnessing adults in my life struggle with mental health issues inspired my curiosity and compassion for the struggles that impact so many. As I grew older, I experienced my darkness and found support from clinicians who aided my journey. Having experienced the darkness in which so many find themselves, I am honored to walk alongside every client I work with. People go through so much, and no one should be alone. 

Rapport with your clinician is crucial and allows movement to a place where healing and growth can occur. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and holistic. I use experiential methods like expressive arts,  somatic therapy, mindfulness, play therapy, and sandtray with children. Additionally, I utilize CBT, DBT, and parts work (IFS) in treatment plans. My experience is in treating anxiety, depression, self-confidence, setting boundaries, self-esteem, trauma, ADHD, and PTSD.

I look forward to learning EMDR to help with trauma clients. Being an advocate of equality and diversity, I love working with people who feel different from those in mainstream society. LGBTQ+ folks, creatives/artists, alternative lifestyle/relationships, neurodivergent folks (ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia), and anyone else who feels out of place. 

Amber Witten earned a Master’s in Psychology from Meridian University and is completing a second Master’s in Social Work from Western New Mexico University. Amber also graduated from Tampala Institute, an internationally recognized expressive arts training program.

Located at our Downtown location: 807 E. South Temple, SLC 84102

I accept new client and offers appointments Mondays & Wednesday 12,1,2, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 then Fridays 9,10,11, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 

I see clients insured with Aetna, Select Health, U of U, United Healthcare, UMR, and EMI, and more will be added soon.

(Supervised by Clinical Director)

Lindsay Killips – MSW, ACMHC     (Downtown)

“If your waiting for someone to believe in you, you’ll be waiting forever. You must believe in yourself.” …. Cher

I want to understand you as you are and what your story is, not just what you are in counseling for. I like to build connections based on similarities or shared interests/knowledge/experiences/values. I am here to listen, support you, and help you be happy with what looks back at you in the mirror. Having survived a near-death experience, I learned about myself and was able to see my purpose in life. Therapy can heal by providing a safe space to feel held and supported while working through complex life events. You will leave sessions feeling progressed and more confident.

My approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients address personal life challenges. I connect and work well with people who have faced trauma. Clearing past trauma has to involve getting to the root and how it impacts both your mind and body. Next is remapping your brain by removing the fear and “spiraling” that can happen when triggered by the past. I also focus on ADHD, Anxiety/Depression, chronic health challenges, self-esteem, relationship issues, and brain trauma injuries.

I mix a variety of methods depending on each client’s needs. I regularly use somatic, positive mindfulness, CBT, expressive writing, and art techniques. I’m working on EMDR and IFS “parts work and refreshing my skills with children for sand tray and play therapy great at helping them open up. We aim to bring mind, body, and soul together to live at peace with your life.

I work with young adults, preteens, children 6 and up, and middle-aged adults who want to be here doing the work. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Colorado and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University (ACMHC credentials, Certified Eating Coach).

 Lindsay is accepting new clients at our Downtown SLC office only.

Her Availability if  9AM – 6PM Tuesday thru Friday.

I see clients insured with Medicaid, Huntsman, BCBS-Regence, Aetna, SelectHealth, U of U, United Healthcare/Optum, Cigna, and UMR with more coming soon.