Mert Civan, AMFT
Therapist
Mert serves as a Primary Therapist at Bayside Marin. He initially joined the team in June 2022 as a Counselor/Intern Therapist and later became a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in March 2023 after obtaining his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Prior to his tenure at Bayside Marin, Mert held roles as a Primary Counselor at Serenity Knolls and as a Counselor at San Quentin State Prison. His professional journey in residential treatment facilities for substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders dates back to 2018, supplemented by completing Drug and Alcohol Abuse Studies at UC Berkeley.
Mert’s passion lies in assisting individuals grappling with chemical dependency issues and supporting their families. He takes great pride in his work, eagerly anticipating the chance to empower individuals to transform their lives and navigate the challenges posed by substance use disorders. Mert delves into underlying issues and patterns contributing to persistent unhappiness, which often precipitates SUD. His authenticity and sincerity, traits frequently commended by his clients, enhance his effectiveness as a therapist.
With his own journey of recovery starting in 2007, Mert brings a wealth of personal and professional experience in dealing with SUD. He endeavors to cultivate a safe, nonjudgmental, and collaborative environment conducive to self-expression, exploration, healing, and problem-solving. Employing a diverse toolkit encompassing psychodynamic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive processing therapy, Mert tailors his approach to meet the unique needs of each individual.
Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, Mert values diversity and effortlessly navigates interactions with various affinity groups. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys cycling and embarking on adventures with his family.
“Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn’t mean you can, need, or should do it alone.” – Lisa Olivera
