Find a therapist in Crestview, FL — covered by insurance

I'm a licensed psychologist working with adolescents, adults, and seniors navigating anxiety, depression, grief, significant life changes, or challenges with attention and focus. My goal is to offer a safe, affirming space to explore your life, your story, and what matters most to you — your experiences, your values, and where you hope to go. You are a complex, whole person made up of many parts — and there is room here for all of them.

You might look like you have it together—but inside, your mind doesn’t slow down. You overthink conversations, second-guess decisions, and feel constant pressure to stay “on” at school, work, or in relationships. When things finally get quiet, your brain doesn’t—it gets louder. I work with adolescents and young adults who are tired of feeling stuck in that cycle. Many of my clients are high-functioning on the outside but internally overwhelmed, anxious, or mentally exhausted. They don’t just want to “talk about feelings”—they want real tools that actually help.

Marsel Kogan is a board-certified psychiatric-mental health and family nurse practitioner providing evidence-based care for adults. He specializes in psychiatric evaluation and medication management, with a collaborative, goal-focused approach. With experience in outpatient psychiatry, urgent care, and occupational medicine, he offers whole-person care. He is bilingual in Russian and English.

Welcome! I believe therapy should be a safe space where you can be yourself without fear of judgment. My approach is warm, compassionate, and person-centered, and I’ll meet you where you are while helping you better understand yourself and the challenges you’re facing. Together, we’ll identify patterns, build on your strengths, and work toward meaningful change. Most importantly, I want you to feel heard, supported, and comfortable being your authentic self.

Hi there! I’m so glad you found your way here, I’m Merlyn. What drew me to therapy wasn’t theory, but the quiet moment when someone feels safe enough to exhale, speak their truth, and realize they were never too much to be understood. Healing isn’t about fixing yourself; it’s about understanding the parts of you that had to fight, protect, and survive.

I also provide Christian-integrated counseling for women who share this faith, helping you explore your struggles through both science and Scripture, where psychology and God’s truth work together beautifully. This blend honors both emotional and spiritual healing, creating space for restoration that feels whole and grounded.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida and the founder of Merlyn Asencio Psychotherapy & Wellness, LLC. I specialize in working with high-functioning women, the ones who appear composed, capable, and self-aware, yet feel anxious, disconnected, or exhausted on the inside. As the creator of The Merlyn MethodTM, I combine attachment-based EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and narrative therapy to help you reconnect with your voice, rebuild confidence, and experience peace that lasts beyond the session.

Whether you are carrying the weight of trauma, feeling worn down by anxiety or depression, or working through a painful loss or a strained relationship, you deserve a space where you feel understood and genuinely supported. I am Shanda, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 28 years of experience walking alongside adults, couples, and families through life's hardest seasons. My style is open-minded, empowering, and solution-oriented. I will meet you with warmth and without judgment, and I focus on real, practical steps forward. When you are ready, I would be honored to see if we are a good fit.