For the past 18 years, Dr. Merendino has worked within the early childhood sector in early care and education settings at the local, state, and national level. She was part of the original TPBA team at the University of Denver led by Dr. Toni Linder. Dr. Merendino has experience in a variety of roles including directing an early care and education center, home interventionist, mental health specialist, and as a coach for first-grade teachers. For several years, she worked as an early childhood mental health consultant in military bases both internationally and domestically. She currently has a private practice where she specializes in treating children under the age of 8 using play therapy and consulting on early childhood mental health. She is licensed as a marriage and family therapist and professional counselor in the state of Colorado. She also has a play therapy supervisor credential.

Dr. Merendino received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Westmont College in 1998, her Masters degree in Counseling from Denver Seminary in 2000 and her doctorate in Child & Family Studies from the University of Denver in 2008.