Nayalit Mercado, MA, LAC, Mental Health Clinician

Nayalit is a Licensed Accociate Counselor at Joy

Nayalit is a licensed accociate counselor at Joy Mental Fitness which has locations in Jersey City, New Jersey, and Boston, Massachusetts. Nayalit also provides telehealth services to patients throughout New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Nayalit is bilingual, proficient in both English and Spanish. 

Personal Journey:

I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a mental health therapist. I have always been fascinated with human behavior and how we express emotions. It has always been a passion of mine to listen and help others. After witnessing a loved one experience a mental health crisis, I became even more curious about mental health and decided to pursue it as a career.

I am a first generation American and I experienced difficulty navigating my way into the field. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by amazing colleagues and mentors who helped me pursue my degree in 2020. During my studies, I began working with those who have struggled with addiction and co-occurring disorders. Throughout the 4 years of working at a substance abuse program, I began to understand the human experience more and fostered compassion for those struggling with addiction, trauma, anxiety, and depression.

Clinical Approach:

My therapeutic approaches include Emotion Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Client-centered therapy. I believe each person is the expert of their lives. I relate the therapeutic experience to the client being the driver and I the passenger in their journey. I believe that becoming mindful and accepting your experience is the start to healing; therefore, I work to cultivate a safe space for exploration and curiosity regarding thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. When needed, I incorporate mindfulness, distress tolerance skills, emotional regulation, and interpersonal communication skills. I am passionate about working with individuals who have experienced traumatic events. I aim to validate and reframe client's experiences while pointing out their strength and resiliency.

Overall Impact:

I find my work extremely rewarding. I have had the honor to witness clients achieve their goals as well as process and heal from their past experiences. I hope that my clients can become the best versions of themselves and live a life that is fulfilling.