Welcome to Mertens Counseling Kearney
Mertens Counseling is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based counseling services in Kearney and through telehealth across Nebraska. Led by Emily Mertens (LIMHP, CMFT), our practice offers tailored support for kids, teens, adults and families struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, OCD, ADHD-related concerns, child behavioral challenges, parenting and relationship concerns, cancer-related emotional challenges, and life transitions. Whether you’re seeking EMDR therapy to heal from trauma or counseling for other life challenges, we’re here to help you build practical skills, strengthen relationships, and move forward with greater confidence.
Depression Therapy
Offering effective strategies to manage depression and find hope. Depression therapy at Mertens Counseling integrates evidence-based modalities to treat low mood, loss of interest, and functional impairment. Treatment plans may involve behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, and trauma-informed care when early experiences or recent losses contribute to symptoms.
Anxiety Therapy
Providing techniques to reduce anxiety and restore peace of mind. Whether you struggle with generalized anxiety, panic, or health-related worry, we teach practical coping strategies including breathing and grounding, cognitive tools to challenge unhelpful thoughts, and exposure-based planning when appropriate.
Trauma Therapy
Supporting you through the healing process with trauma-focused therapies. Trauma therapy includes assessment, stabilization, and processing phases designed to improve safety and reduce reactivity. We coordinate care for complex cases and emphasize slowing the pace so you can feel in control.
Complex Trauma Therapy
Tailored care for those dealing with prolonged or repeated trauma. For clients with complex trauma histories, treatment addresses relational patterns, attachment, and the cumulative impact on health and functioning. Sessions include pacing, skills training, and relational repair strategies to support family and interpersonal functioning.
EMDR Therapy
An evidence-based approach that helps you heal from trauma and find lasting relief. EMDR THERAPY is effective for PTSD, single-incident trauma, and many trauma-related symptoms. During EMDR, we use structured protocols to help the brain reprocess memories so they become less distressing and less likely to trigger avoidance or hypervigilance.
Childhood Trauma Therapy
Helping you heal from early life experiences to build a brighter future. Childhood trauma often affects adult relationships, self-image, and coping. Treatment focuses on integrating experiences, strengthening emotional regulation, and restoring healthy family dynamics when family therapy is indicated.
Online Therapy
Convenient and confidential support from the comfort of your home. We offer telehealth sessions across Nebraska for clients who prefer remote care or live outside Kearney. Online therapy is secure, HIPAA-compliant, and an effective way to access EMDR-informed protocols and trauma therapy when in-person sessions aren’t possible.
Teen & Child Therapy
Challenging behavior is often a child’s way of communicating feelings they do not yet know how to manage. Behavioral therapy at Mertens Counseling helps children and teens understand their triggers, develop healthier responses, and build skills for calmer days at home and school—while giving parents practical strategies that work in everyday life.
Children's Anxiety Therapy
When worry begins affecting your child’s sleep, school days, or confidence, the right support can make a meaningful difference. Children’s anxiety therapy at Mertens Counseling offers kids a safe, welcoming place to understand their feelings, practice practical coping skills, and face their fears one manageable step at a time—with parents supported throughout the process.
SCHEDULE YOUR MERTENS COUNSELING SESSION TODAY
We are a small, local team focused on compassionate, practical care. Our clinicians combine advanced training in EMDR with family-centered and behavioral health practices to address both immediate symptoms and long-term well-being. We prioritize safety, transparency, and measurable progress.
INSURANCE, PAYMENT, AND ACCESS
We accept several insurance plans and offer private-pay options, including discounted packages when you prepay for multiple sessions. Our intake coordinator works to verify your insurance benefits and provide anestimate of out-of-pocket costs before your first appointment. Through the COMHT program, eligible Nebraska residents of all ages may qualify for up to five counseling sessions at no cost with participating therapists. Visit our Insurance & Payment Options page to learn more, or contact us for help exploring your options.
Telehealth Therapy Available
Explore the convenience of flexible mental health care with Mertens' Counseling in Kearney. Our Telehealth services are just a click away wherever you are. Receive compassionate, expert care for anxiety, depression, trauma, and more—all from the comfort and privacy of your choice. Mertens' Counseling delivers the perfect blend of convenience and quality, with in-person and online sessions available. Embrace therapy that adapts to your life, offering relief and guidance exactly when and where you need it.
Meet The Mertens Counseling Team
Emily Mertens, LIMHP, CMFT leads our team with a focus on trauma therapy and EMDR. Our therapists provide counseling for children, teens, adults, and families, each bringing their own areas of focus, training, and experience. Explore their profiles to find a therapist whose approach and expertise fit your needs.
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Emily Mertens
LIMHP, CMFT, PLADC
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Jessica Luttrell
LIMHP, LCSW
Sara Klingelhoefer
LIMHP
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Courtney Hughbanks
MSEd, PLMHP
Andrew (Drew) Fritson
PLMHP
Mertens Counseling Kearney Office
CONTACT / FRONT DESK HOURS
Monday – Thursday, 8:45 AM–4:00 PM
COUNSELING APPOINTMENTS
May be scheduled outside of contact hours, depending on your therapist’s availability.
NEW CLIENT | EXISTING CLIENT