Abigail Merin, Psy.D.

Dr. Merin received her doctorate in psychology from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. She has trained at various hospital centers in the Manhattan and Newark areas, including Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute in Manhattan, as well as UMDNJ—University Behavioral HealthCare in Newark, NJ. At these sites, Dr. Merin provided individual and group therapy, as well as family and couple therapy to those in need. Dr. Merin is licensed to practice psychology in New York and New Jersey. 

Having researched the psychological consequences of concealable stigma, Dr. Merin is also deeply familiar with the internal struggles present when one feels the need to reach out for help. Concealable stigma may refer to anything an individual is ashamed of that is not visible to the naked eye. In particular, Dr. Merin has researched the psychological consequences of stigma relating to sexually transmitted diseases, sexual minority (LGBTQ) individuals, and of those facing general difficulties related to mental health issues.  

Recently, Dr. Merin has gained an interest in research on psychedelic assisted therapies, attending workshops and conferences that educate on the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances when administered in a safe, controlled environment by medical professionals in conjunction with therapy provided by licensed professionals. As such, Dr. Merin is able to assist with integration therapy those who have either participated in the aforementioned research studies or who have sought out psychedelic experiences on their own and need to continue to work on integrating these either positive or negative experiences into their daily lives. Dr. Merin will never administer these substances or perform psychedelic assisted therapy herself for any patient as long as these substances remain illegal in this country.

Dr. Merin has traveled to Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Colombia to work with traditional healers who serve traditional plant medicines in ceremonial settings, informed by their indigenous lineages. Dr. Merin continues to weave her Western knowledge with the knowledge of traditional, indigenous cultures she has had the privilege to receive from healers in the global south. She travels frequently to Sasaima to learn directly from her primary teacher, Xochi Bucuru, a traditional healer based in Colombia of Pijao heritage, working with yagé. Through her experience with plant medicines, Dr. Merin has also found the practice of shamanic drumming, or sound healing, using frame drums she has made herself with a local guide and natural materials. In session, Dr. Merin may offer drum songs to help with centering, clearing, and alignment. She also records songs and sends them to patients later for sound healing.

Dr. Merin has engaged in a number of postgraduate training education opportunities. Formally, she received a certificate in sex therapy from the Human Sexuality Program at NYU. Additionally, she taken courses in foundational psychoanalytic theory concepts through NYU’s Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis, as well as Adelphi University’s continuing education program, primarily focusing on the impact of racial trauma and transgenerational trauma through the lens of psychoanalytic theory. As part of the continuing education requirements in the state of New York and New Jersey, she continues to stay up to date with current approaches to treatment, ethical considerations, and as such integrates new information with her years of education, clinical experience, and current western and traditional educational initiatives.  Working primarily from a psychodynamic background, Dr. Merin also has experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Systems Therapy. She has worked with individuals struggling with various mood management and emotion regulation difficulties, substance use problems, and interpersonal struggles, such as relationship difficulties and social anxiety.