Restored Hope Counseling
Our Journey Together
Mission
Vision
Providing therapeutic services to those who need restored hope, emotional healing, and healthy relationships.
To help one heart at a time through evidenced-based interventions that will improve relationships so that lives are emotionally restored and healthy relationships grow from one generation to another.
You don't have to go through this alone...
Meet our Therapists
Sabrina Sosa, LMHC
Merlyn Asencio, LCSW
Licensed Mental Health Counselor/EMDR Therapist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker /EMDR Therapist
I am a bilingual (English & Spanish) Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 15 years of experience that includes working in the foster care system, school setting, private practice, and treating over 1,000 individuals of all ages from different cultures and all walks of life.
No matter how many years have passed, unresolved hurts in your heart build up over time and deeply affect what you believe about yourself and others. The healing process requires examining your heart, transparency, openness, honesty, commitment, and will.
I provide the most effective evidence-based therapy treatments, using mostly EMDR to help you achieve self-care and healthy relationships through Bilateral Stimulation, which allows your brain to reprocess painful memories. Every negative thought and negative physical feeling in your body that is attached to the painful memory is desensitized. As each memory is effectively reprocessed, you experience healing for each past wound, one at a time.
I am passionate about guiding others through difficult circumstances by helping them view their painful experiences as opportunities and stepping stones for substantial personal, spiritual, and relational growth.
I was born and raised in South Florida. I was reborn and have been a follower of Christ since 2005. I obtained my Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology at Trinity International University.
Trauma affects every aspect of a person’s life. Whether it is chronic trauma or acute trauma, it can lead to feelings of fear, shame, and guilt that impact the body, mind, and soul. This is true for children, teenagers, and adults. It is my passion, privilege, and calling to be a supportive guide for those struggling with the chaotic impacts of trauma. I specialize working with children, teenagers, and divorced women.
Born in Cuba and raised in South Florida, I am fluent in both English and Spanish. I obtained my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Barry University and have over five years of experience working with at-risk children and teens in foster care. In 2018, my research on child behavior was one of few selected in the state of Florida to be presented at the National Association of Social Work conference.
I use evidenced-based practices such as EMDR, IFS, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, DBT, and effective tools that will lead people to love themselves and reject guilt and shame by taking them through the process of understanding the root causes of trauma and it's devastating effects. We’ll work together to let go of guilt and shame, and replace them with healing, one step at a time.
Life is not a sprint- it’s a marathon. You’re in this for the long run, but the good news? You don’t have to run it alone. I’m here, cheering you on every step of the way.
Luis Villamil, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
I have long wrestled with the body, soul, and spirit and how each affects the whole. We’re all complex human beings and when we add things like beliefs, culture, and experiences it can get interesting. Moreover, also add to that relationships, work, families, children, and things can start going sideways. With society and its demands, it’s easy to see why people are just surviving. That’s why a comprehensive approach to therapy is vital to get to know each person uniquely.
I’ve been married since 2015 to a wonderful woman and have one daughter. I’m bilingual (English/Spanish). I obtained a Master of Arts in Theological Studies in 2019, while also having earned a Master of Science in Psychology in 2014. I have 13 years of past corporate experience. While doing so, I also specialized in trauma during my tenure at Trauma Resolution center. I believe in the efficacy of evidenced based tools and have a passion for Christian counseling. I enjoy working with men and women alike and the Geriatric population.
What I can say- if you’d in-trust me to walk with you on your journey, I will honor that privilege. The best is yet to come, let’s make mountains back into molehills.
Areas of Expertise
Adults
The most important aspect of life is our relationships- the people we do life with. You cannot have healthy relationships if you are not a healthy person. How do you know if you are a healthy or unhealthy person? The way you view yourself and others will determine your behavior and what kinds of relationships you have. How can you grow yourself and with others?
EMDR
Childhood wounds that were never healed deeply affect the way you see yourself and others today. Ever feel not good enough? Unimportant? Crazy? Shameful? Like a failure? Worthless? EMDR works to uproot these (of many) negative cognitions and replace them with positive. Trauma (anything that was said/done or not said/done to you that impacts you negatively today.
Christian Counseling
Have you ever been hurt by the church? Have you been spiritually abused? Do you feel burned out trying to do "good"? Are you doubting God's goodness in your life? Have you ever felt like giving up on your faith? Has your desire for God diminished? How can you build a strong and healthy relationship with Christ?
Testimonials
"After trying 5 others, I finally have a therapist who understands me. She has helped me to understand myself and I have learned how to start loving myself. She has shown me how to deal with my problems and even see them in positive ways. I'm so glad I found her."
Mary, Miami, FL
"I have thought negatively about myself for all of my life. after EMDR, i no longer self-defeat, my old triggers are gone, and i can set healthy boundaries. i'm so thankful for this kind of therapy."
Kathy
Tallahassee, FL
"I've suffered since I was a child. I've had a hard life. I honestly wasn't sure if I could be helped. Talking to my therapist has been eye-opening. I'm learning so much. I didn't know healing could start this fast."
Julia
Orlando, FL
"My kids were always fighting. They didn't get along until they started doing family therapy and talking things out. They each learned how to talk about their feelings. They learned how to apologize and make up. Now they actually laugh and play together. I still can't believe it."
ANDREW, Tampa, FL
