Grief counselors and therapists in Tampa, FL

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.

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'm a licensed clinical social worker, military veteran, and military spouse, and I've spent much of my career working with people who are very good at carrying a lot. I work with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, burnout, major life transitions, motherhood, and the pressures that come with demanding roles and relationships. My clinical background includes years of providing and leading behavioral health care in military settings, which has shaped the way I understand resilience, identity, relationships, and what can happen when pressure begins to build. I want therapy to be a place where you can put some of that responsibility down and give some of that attention back to yourself--not another place where you have to hold everything together.

Hello my nick name is Trish, a LCSW and MCAP, QS dedicated to guiding individuals through life's most profound challenges. My practice specializes in supporting a diverse range of clients, from young adults embarking on their journey to seniors navigating complex transitions, all of whom may be grappling with the weight of depression, anxiety, the profound impact of grief, or the struggles associated with substance abuse.