Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Kennewick, WA covered by Aetna

Dr. Victoria Benson, DNP, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) with 17 years of experience in health care and 4 years of experience in psychiatry treatments.

Hi, I’m Asajnae Mercadel, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in healthcare. My background in nursing has given me a strong foundation in understanding both the physical and emotional aspects of patient care. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, and sleep-related concerns. I’m passionate about creating a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you feel comfortable being open and honest. My goal is to help you feel heard, understood, and empowered in your mental health journey.

Hello and congratulations for taking the first and sometimes hardest step of looking for a therapist. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of IN, KY LA, MO, NV, TX, WA and WV. I have the great privilege of working with adolescents and adults seeking assistance in improving their overall mental health and associated challenges. I’ve been in the behavioral health arena for over 40 years and have held numerous direct care and clinical leadership roles in a variety of settings. My joy comes from helping people navigate life's challenges.

I work with individuals, couples, and families of all ages. I have a Masters in Clinical Health Psychology and a Masters in Nutrition/Dietetics, which helps lend to a holistic approach to my work with clients. I commonly work with health behavioral change, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADHD, OCD, and relationship change. My treatment approach utilizes a biopsychosocial lense in long-term therapy based in psychodynamic, strengths-based, and integrative work in overall health. I utilize coping skills from CBT, DBT, ACT, and Mindfulness. I incorporated life-skills such a assertiveness, boundaries, and career.

I love the work that I do and the healing relationships I have been able to foster with my clients. I believe that therapy is a form of self-care and I want to be an advocate of that for my clients. I welcome anyone who thinks they may want some support, whether long-term or short-term to reach out to me and set up a brief phone consultation.

Life’s challenges can feel overwhelming at any stage—whether you’re navigating adolescence, adulthood, relationships, parenting, or the transitions that come with aging. Anxiety, depression, grief, and life changes can disrupt how you think, feel, and connect with others. Therapy offers a supportive place to slow down, feel understood, and develop effective tools to move forward with greater clarity, balance, and confidence.

Life doesn’t come with a roadmap—and when stress, anxiety, grief, or major changes pile up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or alone. Therapy offers a place to slow down, feel understood, and begin finding your way forward with clarity and confidence.

I provide a compassionate, supportive space where you can explore what’s holding you back, build resilience, and reconnect with your inner strength. Together, we’ll work toward meaningful change so you can feel more confident, grounded, and at peace.

Who I Work With

I work with individuals across the lifespan, including:

• Teenagers and young adults
• Adults experiencing anxiety, depression, or life transitions
• Women and single mothers
• Men facing male-specific challenges
• Older adults navigating aging-related concerns

I also work with couples, parents, and business partners, helping strengthen communication, emotional understanding, and connection.