When I was training for this profession, a professor told me that "people only change when the pain of changing is less than the pain of staying the same." That quote has always stuck with me as a constant reminder of what a big step it is to ask for help. I am glad you are here. We all have stories. They govern our lives, shape our being, cause tremendous challenge, and become catalysts for growth. I have spent my time answering the call to meet people at critical points in their lives and walk with them through difficulty. I use a combination of solution-focused and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help people discover what works best for them. I believe in the power of the relationship between a therapist and a client. I believe in challenge and support. I believe in meeting people with compassion. I believe in humor as a therapeutic tool. I believe in harnessing your strengths to help you achieve your goals and I would love to help you do just that. That's my story. What's yours?

Welcome to my practice. I am Zsa Zsa Jenkins, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 45 years experience in assessment, case management and counseling skills. Experienced in individual, group and marriage/family therapy and crisis intervention. Work settings include Children's Protective Services, Community Mental Health, hospitals, independent practice, military bases and non- profit agencies. I especially enjoy providing group counseling and individual counseling to adults 25 and up. Talking to someone you may not know can be uncomfortable whether it is your first time in counseling or not. I will work with you towards making the process that you have chosen here, help you to grow. We will work together towards identifying the most important issues that you want to focus on. Primary Treatment Orientation: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) Intervention Motivational Interviewing Eclectic Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) If you have any concerns about my procedures, we should discuss them as soon as they arrive. It is important that you are comfortable working with me for the counseling to be most successful. If your doubt persists, I encourage you to seek a second mental health professional opinion. Let' s get started!

Hello, My name is Carisa Bustillos Givens, and I have been counseling clients from a wide range of backgrounds for the past 15 years. I am a Professional Counselor licensed in Texas, focused on providing assistance with a wide range of concerns, including crisis, grief, loss and career counseling services and specializing in work and career-related stress, family challenges, blended families, women's and parents' issues, and mediation services. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating every individual with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and solution-focused counseling, and I will tailor our communication and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. You are courageous for seeking and working towards a more fulfilling and happier life. Sometimes taking the first steps towards a change can cause anxiety or nervousness. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

Hello and welcome! I am Tracy Dowling, a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. I graduated with a Masters of Science degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas in 2000. Since that time, I have worked with children, teens, families, groups, and individuals with a variety of concerns and needs over the years including depression, stress, anxiety, family issues, relationship issues, parenting concerns, career concerns, workplace issues, addictions, and trauma/abuse. My counseling style is very warm and interactive, and I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique needs. Specifically, I utilize a Cognitive Behavioral approach (CBT) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. I will help you gain insight into your current struggles, as well as develop strategies and tools that you can use immediately to see progress and make the positive changes you desire in your life. I am here to support, encourage, and guide you along your path. I will be here to help you set goals, measure progress, and assist you every step of the way along your journey. I look forward to working with you! Have a good day!

Akilah Martin is certified by the Texas State Board of Examiners as a Licensed Professional Counselor. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Counseling. Akilah attained a Masters of Arts in Counseling from Sam Houston State University, with a focus in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has achieved competency in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She has completed level 2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Akilah believes the client is the expert of his or her life and hopes to help the client acquire the tools, skills, knowledge and the support necessary in order to be successful in meeting the client’s self-determined goals. She incorporates many different techniques from various therapeutic schools in order to best meet the needs of each individual client. She has years working with adults struggling with various issues. She has experience with: foster children, Department of Family Services, substance abuse, adjustment issues, depression, anxiety disorders, family/marital discord, communication issues, anger management, oppositional children, ADHD, and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Akilah hopes to make each individual client feel validated, valued, and heard while simultaneously helping the client find his or her voice. She hopes to empower the client to realize he or she can make the desired changes in life.

Dr. Shawn Hysten-Williams, Ed.D., LPC is an experienced psychotherapist with over a decade of experience in goal-focused approaches and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She has her masters degree in Counseling from Prairie View A & M University and a doctorate in Counseling Education from Texas Southern University. She has specialized experience in multiple areas including: Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Issues (personal & professional), anger issues, and working with individuals who have experienced trauma such as neglect or abuse. She also has expertise in couples therapy, grief therapy, and helping individual's successfully manage life transitions. Dr. Hysten-Williams primarily uses Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She enjoys working with couples, individuals, and families experiencing challenges that may seem too difficult to over-come. In addition, Dr. Hysten-Williams uses psychoeducation as a tool to help equip clients with the necessary information to effectively problem-solve and develop communication skills. She also use psychoeducation as a platform to provide information and resources in an empathetic and supportive environment. Her approach to therapy is beneficial and embraces all individuals, including those who may find it difficult to be accepted in society. All are welcome to inquire about services.

I am a mental health counselor licensed in the state of Texas. Professionally, I have a little over 3 years of experience. I have been a fitness/life coach for over 20 years and I am a veteran with 10 years of service. Therefore, in both positions I have had the honor to provide counseling and guidance to hundreds of individuals in all areas and walks of life. Currently, I work as a mental health counselor at a Behavioral Hospital. Our main focus is to attend to the crisis at hand, utilizing brief and swift psychotherapy. Once patients are stable, I provide psychotherapy or psychoeducation in accord to their main problems or obstacles. I have worked with patients and clients with a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, substance/alcohol, and sexual abuse. Been a Hispanic male veteran with personal experience in dealing with mental health, I understand the stigmatization and the cultural sensitivity that is needed to provide support for any and all individuals. Therefore, I get to work more often with patients and their families, who struggle with PTSD and other military related trauma. I am a Christian and follow Christian principles, therefore, I believe in treating all individuals with outmost respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My counseling style is assertive and direct, but empathic and compassionate, all at once. My approach is eclectic, hence, it is a combination of cognitive-behavioral, spiritual, psychodynamic and positive psychology. I am able and willing to adapt to any form of counseling and treatment as required by the patient or client, in order to meet your specific needs and unique obstacle. Lastly, I am currently finishing my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. Hence, I am constantly learning new ways of improving my skills, knowledge, and attaining more tools to better serve my patients and clients. I personally understand the courage and confidence that it is needed to accept that one needs help and seek that help in order to better one’s life and improve quality of life, for you and those around you. I am excited and look forward to providing guidance and effective therapy.

My name is Angela Thornell and have been licensed as a Professional Counselor in the States of Georgia and in Texas. With over 23 years of clinical experience, I specialize in working with adults experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use, and bipolar disorders. My goal is to assist people in working towards fulfilling their fullest potential through healing and overcoming life's obstacles. My counseling style is warm and interactive and believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion without stigmatizing labels. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

I am a licensed therapist in Texas with over 5 years of experience working as a therapist and psychoeducational addiction therapist . I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, OCD, and ADHD. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, solution focused and rational-emotive therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

My name is Arturo Oaxaca and I speak both English and Spanish. I graduated with a Masters in Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. I use cognitive behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, client centered therapy, and schema focused therapy. My experience has been in working with issues of anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, anger management, and post traumatic stress disorder. I have experience with adolescent, young adult, and adult populations.

My name Is Marisa Esparza. I am a licensed LPC in Texas. I completed my Masters of Education in Mental Health Counseling from University of Texas at El Paso in December 2015 and have a Bachelors in Education from the University of Texas at El Paso in May 2011. I have worked in several settings that I feel allow me the advantage to recognize the barriers and conflicts with receiving mental health treatment. My most recent position at El Paso Behavioral Health systems includes: Program manager children and adolescents inpatient unit, Program manager adult and military outpatient group, Program manager adolescent outpatient group. In this position I was able to Work collaboratively with patients, medical staff, and families to help stabilize high risk children and adults. I Provided psychological assessments and risk assessments to determine needs and communicate with medical staff. I facilitated daily groups as well as family sessions. I worked collaboratively with treatment teams and attended to emergency crisis on unit. I was able to build rapport with adult and children and provide verbal deescalation when in crisis. I assisted with medical staff and treatment team to determine safety in community. Previously I worked s a qualified mental health professional on the Assertive Community Treatment Team I provided individual psychiatric rehabilitative skills training and crisis assessment/management in consumers's homes and in the community. I provided ongoing assessment, preliminary diagnosis of present Axis 1 psychiatric and co-occurring disorders. My job required coordinating of community resources to assist in assessing medical, social, educational, financial, and other appropriate services that help in achieving an improved quality of life, increase tenure in the community, and decrease the need for unnecessary inpatient hospitalization. Throughout my internship at El Paso Behavioral Health,I developed the necessary skills in order to work effectively with children, adolescents, adults, military, and seniors. Through my course work I was able to gain an understanding of mental health, chemical dependency, crisis counseling, as well as other areas of counseling. I was able to effectively apply counseling for clients experiencing psychological, social, behavioral, and emotional issues. As an intern I worked primarily in the Children and Adolescent Unit, I counseled with emphasis on Reality Therapy. I worked with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. I ran group therapy sessions, completed assessments, took risk assessments, shadowed treatments teams, and attended family sessions. As a Mental Health Technician in the Children and Adolescent Unit, I helped admit and discharge patients. I maintained close contact with them, and monitored vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure. I observed patient behaviors, recorded their conditions and lead them in therapeutic and recreational activities. I regularly consulted with RN’s, LVN’s, social workers, Dr.’s, and therapists. I am confident in my skills and abilities and am willing to work with all populations. I have a deep passion for working with adolescents, young adults, and their families. It has been in my experience that there is a disconnect in communication and world views. I am a LGBTQIA advocate and passionate about empowering youth exploring their identity as well as educating families. I have been able to explore several populations within inpatient hospitals, out patient settings, and the community. This advantage has allowed me to grow as a clinician and empathize with all my patient populations better.

I LOVE PEOPLE! So I inspire to help every client find solutions that actually work for them. Since each person is different, I feel that it's important for me to recognize that the client is the expert of their own lives. Therefore my role is to offer support, empathy, compassion, suggestions, and resources so that each person moves toward reaching their individual goals. As a licensed therapist with 21 years of experience, I share a variety of tools and strategies with clients. Then I teach how to effectively implement these new skills in the real world. I have experience in helping clients with relationship problems, motivation, self esteem and confidence, career challenges, coping with grief and loss and life changes. I want therapy with me to be a safe place where you can absolutely be yourself. I want you to look forward to each session as you continue taking the steps to create the life that you want to have. I look forward to collaborating with YOU!

I am licensed in the State of Texas with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with parenting issues, trauma and abuse, coping with life changes, foster care and adoption & compassion fatigue. I am a Trust Based Relational Intervention Practitioner and I am facilitator for the Circle of Security curriculum, Nurturing Parenting curriculum and Making Sense of Your Own Self Worth curriculum. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Texas with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, depression, & coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Texas with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, motivation, self esteem, confidence, career difficulties, & coping with life changes. I also have experience working with compassion fatigue. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!