Joel Asencio

You’ve probably done a lot already.

You’ve read, reflected, maybe even been to therapy before and you understand yourself more than most people. But even with that awareness, something still feels stuck.

That’s the kind of work I tend to do.

I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and I work with people who are high-functioning on the outside but feel overwhelmed, burned out, or caught in patterns they can’t seem to move past. Whether it’s anxiety, trauma, ADHD, or just a sense that something isn’t clicking the way it should, my focus is helping you slow things down and actually get to the root of it.

A lot of what we struggle with comes back to beliefs we’ve formed over time about ourselves, our worth, or how we need to show up in the world. Not because something is wrong with you, but because your mind adapted the best way it could.

My role is to help you understand those patterns, process what’s behind them, and start to shift them in a way that works.

My approach is collaborative and grounded. I’m not here to just listen and nod—I’m actively engaged with you in the process.

We spend time understanding what’s actually driving what you’re feeling. Not just what’s happening now, but where it connects to past experiences, patterns, and beliefs that may still be carrying weight.

I use EMDR when it fits, especially for clients who feel like they’ve talked about things but haven’t really been able to move through them. I also pull from CBT and other approaches when we need something more practical or structured.

Some sessions might feel more reflective, others more focused or directional. It really depends on what you need that day.

Overall, I try to create a space that feels honest, steady, and not forced. You don’t have to perform or say things a certain way.

The first session is pretty straightforward.

We’ll talk about what’s been going on, what’s been weighing on you, and what made you decide to reach out now. You don’t need to have a perfect explanation as I’ll help guide things so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.

I’ll ask questions to get a better sense of your background and how things have been showing up for you over time.

By the end of the session, we’ll usually have a clearer sense of what we’re working toward and what the next steps could look like.

More than anything, I want you to leave that first session feeling like you were actually heard and there is hope.