LyricsHeart: Counseling | Goal Planning | Parent Coaching

Guiding You Towards Growth, Healing, & Empowerment Together

take a step back with me to move forward

Amanda Mercado

Meet Amanda

Hi, I’m Amanda Mercado; a licensed social worker, educator at heart, and firm believer that healing happens when you feel truly seen and heard. I’m passionate about helping children, teens, adults, and families navigate life’s challenges—whether that’s managing emotions, tackling school struggles, or finding balance in the chaos of parenting.What makes me different? I bring a unique blend of mental health expertise and educational know-how to the table. With a background in special education and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, I understand not just the emotions but also the environments that shape us—classrooms, homes, workplaces, and beyond. Think of me as your therapist, coach, and biggest cheerleader, all rolled into one.I create a space free from judgment, shame, or fear—because growth happens when we feel safe enough to take that first step. Whether you’re looking for therapy, parent training, or life coaching, we’ll build a plan that actually fits you. Together, we’ll explore coping strategies, uncover your strengths, and turn small steps into big wins.Outside of my work, I’m deeply involved in the animal rescue community. As an avid animal lover, I believe that kindness and compassion should extend to all living beings—whether they walk on two legs or four!Whatever you’re facing, I get it. And I’m here to help you put YOU first. Let’s take that step—together.

What is a Social Worker?

There’s SO many misconceptions about what a social worker does. A social worker is like a professional problem-solver, part coach, part cheerleader, and part resource guru. They listen to people’s struggles—whether it’s family challenges, work stress, health concerns, or financial troubles—and help them find solutions. Need emotional support? They’ve got you. Looking for resources like housing, job training, or counseling? They’ll connect the dots. And if a system isn’t working in someone’s favor, social workers aren’t afraid to step in and push for change. At the heart of it all, they’re there to make life a little easier, a little more stable, and a lot more hopeful.

Services:

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

Individual therapy is like having a personal trainer—but for your mind. It’s a one-on-one space where you can talk about anything on your mind, from everyday stress to deep emotional struggles, without judgment. Think of it as your mental and emotional tune-up, where a therapist helps you untangle thoughts, build coping skills, and gain new perspectives. Whether you’re working through big life changes, healing from the past, or just trying to feel more like yourself, therapy is your time to focus on you—with someone in your corner to guide, support, and challenge you along the way. This can be virtually, or in person, of any age.

PARENT COACHING

Parent coaching in therapy is like getting a personalized playbook for raising happy, resilient kids—minus the judgment and unsolicited advice. It’s a space where parents can tackle everything from tantrums to teen struggles with expert guidance, practical strategies, and a whole lot of support. Think of it as upgrading your parenting toolkit—learning how to set boundaries, improve communication, and handle tough moments with confidence (and maybe even a little humor). Whether you’re navigating bedtime battles, big emotions, or power struggles, parent training helps you feel more in control and connected with your child—because parenting is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone!

ADVOCATING

Community advocacy in social work is like being the voice, bridge, and problem-solver all rolled into one. For example, when it comes to schools, that means making sure every child—no matter their background—has access to the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. It’s about working with parents, teachers, and local leaders to tackle issues like education gaps, mental health support, and special services. Whether it’s advocating for better school programs, helping families navigate the system, or making sure no student falls through the cracks, attending IEP meetings, etc, I will help advocate for you so that we can turn any concerns into action and communities into places where you have a fair shot at success.

RESOURCE GUIDING

Providing resources is like being a human GPS for life’s challenges—helping people find the right support, whether they need housing, food assistance, mental health services, job training, school resources, or anything in between. It’s not just about handing out a list of phone numbers; it’s about making sure people actually connect with the help they need. Sometimes that means breaking down confusing paperwork, calling agencies to advocate for someone, or brainstorming creative solutions when traditional options don’t cut it. At the end of the day, it’s about turning “I don’t know where to start” into “I’ve got a plan”—and that’s a pretty powerful thing.

Areas of Specialization

  • In-person and remote sessions

  • Children, teens, adults, parents

  • Play and behavior Therapy

  • Intellectual and Developmental disabilities (ex. Autism, ADHD)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Family communication

  • Animal support

  • Trauma

  • Anxiety

  • College preparation

  • Coping & Social skills

  • Sensory processing challenges

  • School behavior

  • Life goals

  • Pet grief

  • School diagnosis navigation

  • Grief & Loss

  • Anger

  • Attachment challenges

  • Self-esteem and confidence issues

  • Parent Discipline

  • Divorce adjustment (for children and individuals)

CONTACT ME FOR SCHEDULING OR ANY OTHER INQUIRIES!

908-770-0529

@_Lyricsheart

@lyricsheart

PAY FOR YOUR SESSION!