Merrianna Holdeman Counseling
Helping Women Understand Anxiety through a Whole-Person Approach

Merrianna Holdeman, Owner

For many women, anxiety is not limited to moments of worry or stress. It can appear as perfectionism, constant overthinking, people-pleasing, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure of trying to manage every responsibility at once. In some cases, women may also be misdiagnosed or treated only for anxiety when undiagnosed ADHD, trauma, or nervous-system dysregulation may be contributing to their symptoms.

Based in Ohio, Merrianna Holdeman Counseling helps women look beyond surface-level diagnoses to better understand the experiences shaping their mental health.

Owner Merrianna Holdeman specializes in supporting women with anxiety, trauma responses, and ADHD-related challenges, using a personalized approach that incorporates EMDR and somatic therapy. These methods help them process difficult experiences while recognizing how stress and trauma affect both the mind and body.

Understanding the Root of Anxiety

Many clients come to the practice during significant life transitions, including changes in relationships, parenting responsibilities, careers, or after experiencing trauma.

Over time, these challenges can contribute to burnout and a feeling of being unable to keep up with everyday life. Holdeman often sees women who have spent years trying to understand why they feel overwhelmed, only to discover that there may be deeper factors influencing their anxiety.

The practice also works with women who may have been overlooked when it comes to ADHD. Holdeman explains that ADHD in women can often look different from traditional presentations, and many women are left searching for answers after being treated only for anxiety.

A Personalized Approach to Therapy

At Merrianna Holdeman Counseling, therapy is not based on a single formula. Each client’s experiences, needs, and goals shape the direction of treatment. Holdeman begins by helping clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and physical responses are connected.

A key part of this process involves educating clients about the nervous system and how anxiety and trauma can influence the body. Rather than focusing only on thoughts, the practice incorporates somatic therapy to help clients recognize and regulate physical responses connected to stress.

“I really try to meet each client where they’re at, and I don’t walk in with an agenda or a fixed list of tools that I use for each person. I tailor my approach to their specific needs,” says Holdeman. This individualized approach allows therapy to be adapted based on what each person needs at that stage of their healing journey.

Combining EMDR with Somatic Therapy

One of the areas that distinguishes Merrianna Holdeman Counseling is its use of EMDR and somatic therapy alongside traditional counseling. Many clients arrive after previous therapy experiences where they gained insight but still felt stuck. By combining different approaches, the practice helps clients address both the emotional and physical effects of anxiety and trauma.

EMDR can help clients reprocess difficult memories and beliefs that continue to affect their present experiences. For example, someone may logically understand that they are safe or worthy but still struggle to feel that truth emotionally. EMDR helps bridge that gap by allowing the brain and body to process those experiences differently.

Somatic therapy adds another layer by focusing on how stress and trauma are held within the body. Holdeman believes this connection is essential because many clients continue feeling stuck when therapy addresses only thoughts and emotions without considering physical responses.

Looking toward the Future of Women’s Mental Health

As awareness around women’s mental health continues to grow, Merrianna Holdeman Counseling is expanding its areas of focus. Holdeman is pursuing further training in somatic experiencing and exploring additional approaches, including Internal Family Systems, to continue strengthening the support available to clients.

The practice also continues to explore the relationship between mental health and overall wellness. Holdeman considers factors such as thyroid health, hormones, gut health, and vitamin deficiencies as possible contributors that may influence how women experience anxiety.

By combining individualized counseling, trauma-informed techniques, and a whole-person perspective, Merrianna Holdeman Counseling offers women a different way to approach anxiety. The practice is not focused only on helping clients cope with symptoms but on helping them understand themselves, reconnect with their bodies, and create meaningful change.

For women who feel that something is missing from traditional approaches, Merrianna Holdeman Counseling provides a supportive environment where healing is approached with curiosity, compassion, and care.