Bilingual Mental Health Services (Spanish/English)
After 11 years living in North Carolina, Lucia moved to California. She started to work for Kaiser Santa Clara Department of Psychiatry in August 2001.
Her main interest is cross-cultural adaptation and mental health. In particular, helping individuals through the different stages of the acculturation process which may be causing, contributing or exacerbating their emotional distress. "What I enjoy the most of working at Kaiser is the opportunity to meet and help people of many different cultural backgrounds," Lucia says.
She facilitates different groups including: "Transitions" a process group helping individuals transitioning to a new environment, "Autumn Growth" a group for seniors, and �Para Nosotras� a culture sensitive support group for Spanish-speaking women suffering from depression and anxiety. Lucia's therapeutic approach is based on Cognitive Behavioral Theory.
Lucia enjoys traveling, singing, and playing with Maddie, her dog. Lucia is fluent in Catalan, Spanish and English. She is currently learning French to be able to communicate with her in-laws. She has two step-children and two step-grandchildren.
She is a member of the Cultural Diversity Committee and Co-Chair of the Service Committee in the Adult Psychiatry Department.
Lucia Merino is a licensed clinical social worker by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. She is member of the National Association of Social Workers and NASW Northern California Chapter.
