Empower Your Mental Health
About Mert Civan Therapy
Personalized Therapy Plans
I believe that the quality of our relationships directly influences our happiness and self-worth. As human beings, we are wired for connection and belonging, making it a profound privilege to sit with people during some of the most meaningful moments in their lives.
I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California, specializing in mental health support. My journey in this field began at San Quentin State Prison, where I worked as a primary counselor and therapist. Since then, I’ve deepened my experience in both residential and outpatient treatment settings, including Serenity Knolls, Bayside Marin, and currently at Foundations IOP in San Francisco. In addition to this work, I provide personalized therapy plans to clients in person and virtually through my private practice.
Since 2018, I’ve focused on substance use treatment and co-occurring disorders, backed by academic training in Drug and Alcohol Abuse Studies at UC Berkeley. With over seven years of experience in mental health support, I work with individuals navigating PTSD, addiction, depression, anxiety, relational distress, personality disorders, and trauma.
Approach
My therapeutic approach to mental health support is integrative and grounded in compassion, curiosity, and collaboration. I draw from a diverse clinical toolkit—including Psychodynamic Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing—to provide personalized therapy plans tailored to each individual. I focus on identifying and shifting underlying patterns that often fuel persistent distress and substance use, ensuring that my therapy plans address the unique needs of each person.
What truly drives me is helping individuals overcome the grip of chemical dependency and supporting the families walking alongside them. My own recovery journey began in 2007, and I bring both lived and professional experience into every therapeutic relationship. I show up with honesty, warmth, and a commitment to creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where healing, self-discovery, and lasting change can take root.
Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, I bring a multicultural lens to my work and value the richness of diverse perspectives.