Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Fort Myers, FL

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.

I believe therapy is a collaborative journey—not a quick fix. If you or your child are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or weighed down by stress, anxiety, or past experiences, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I work with adults and children, bringing warmth, compassion, and a strengths-based approach to each session. My goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore challenges, reconnect with their strengths, and move toward a more fulfilling life. I integrate trauma-informed practices and, when it feels helpful, nature-based techniques to support grounding, perspective, and growth. I’m here to guide and empower you—while helping you take meaningful, practical steps forward.

Refined Beginnings Counseling takes the focus off of issues and highlights solutions. Refined Beginnings Counseling LLC supports an environment that is least restrictive, provides for confidentiality, and convenience by offering tele-mental health services in Florida and both tele-mental health and office visits to clients in Georgia.