Beyond the ordinary

Welcome. This is where our journey begins. I invite you to explore what I offer and how I strive to create a space rooted in quality, care, and trust. I'm grateful you're here.

About Merly

Meet Merly Costa, PMHNP-BC
 Hi, I’m Merly—a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a passion for whole-person mental health. I provide care that honors the connection between mind, body, and spirit. I hold a Master of Science in Nursing and am currently completing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), with a focus on how nutrition and exercise influence emotional well-being.

My approach is:

  • Holistic and lifestyle-based
  • Rooted in empathy and cultural sensitivity
  • Focused on non-habit-forming, sustainable treatments

I speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and welcome clients from all cultural backgrounds. I believe in creating a safe space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to heal.

The Path That Led Me Here

With over 30 years of experience caring for others in diverse roles and environments, I’ve had the privilege of working across nearly every corner of the healthcare field, but my heart has always been in mental health. Over the years, I’ve served in diverse and complex settings, including jails, prisons, outreach programs, community clinics, and private practice. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of how trauma, environment, and life experiences shape mental health—and how healing can look different for everyone.

I was born and raised on a beautiful island in southern Brazil, where nature, family, and spiritual connection were central to everyday life. That early foundation taught me to value simplicity, compassion, and resilience—principles I still carry into every session.

I believe in practicing what I preach. I do my best to live a life that reflects the values I encourage in others: I eat mostly whole, plant-based foods, prioritize movement and time outdoors, and find peace by the ocean or hiking in nature. I’m also an animal lover and rescue advocate, currently sharing my home with four amazing rescue dogs.

Now, as a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and DNP candidate, I offer holistic, non-controlled-substance-based care that supports not just the mind—but the whole person. My mission is to create a safe, inclusive, and collaborative space where you can be heard, supported, and empowered to heal at your own pace.