Alan Rivas, LCSW, Clinical Supervisor
I have been practicing in the mental health field for over nineteen years and received my Social Work and Psychology degrees from Texas State University. I am bilingual and have extensive experience working with the Spanish-speaking population. My position at Yale University allowed me to develop valuable skills working with families and children. The Yale psychiatric program, where I had the privilege of serving, won the American Psychiatric Association’s Most Innovative Treatment Model for 2007. My most recent experience before private practice had been working for a federally qualified health clinic that provides integrated behavioral health services in a primary health care setting. I was an integral member of the health care team providing psychiatric consultation to doctors.
I seek to create an atmosphere that is warm and empathetic while encouraging clients to be open to deep and profound exploration. This dynamic has proven to foster the kind of environment I believe is conducive to growth and change. I believe foundation to a successful therapeutic relationship is the creation of a safe place for one to explore conflicts, issues, and feelings. When this is possible, I believe the door opens for meaningful and significant growth to occur. Perhaps more importantly, I believe growth can take many forms: career success, improved relationships, improved sense of well-being, enhanced sense of self, reduction of painful/unwanted symptoms,etc. The kind of growth one is seeking is best decided upon by careful collaboration between the therapist and the client.
My primary therapeutic approach is utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques (CBT) . To learn more about the model CBT click here. I believe that if you change your thinking, you change how you feel and thus you change your life. Although my main therapeutic approach is to rely on CBT, I also rely on strategies from Positive Psychology and Mindfulness. My approach will include recommendations including conventional psychotherapies as well as nutritional changes, physical activities, and mind-body approaches.
I am licensed to provide psychotherapy services in Texas (Lic#53620) and in Florida (Lic#TPSW846).
Elizabeth Deanda, LCSW
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, licensed to practice in the State of Texas (Lic. No. 52866). I have a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and over 11 years of work experience with survivors of violence, abuse and trauma. I have worked with survivors of interpersonal violence in different settings such as schools and nonprofits, including children, adolescents and adults. I have worked with a wide range of mental health concerns, including but not limited to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, parenting issues, and complex trauma. Most of my work has been with immigrants from Latin American countries in their native language.
I work independently through my private practice providing therapy to children and adults with mental health issues. My focus in both these settings is healing from trauma. My work as a therapist is driven by a strong belief that the best healing is done in connection. In connection to ourselves and to others. This is why I consider the therapeutic relationship to be the most important "tool" in therapy. I am committed to offering a calm and compassionate space in which to explore your concerns and beliefs. I truly believe that all the resources needed for you to heal and thrive are already within you and that you alone are the expert on your experience and your understanding of your life. My goal is to offer my professional training and knowledge in combination with a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship where you can deepen the connection with yourself, your loved ones and find that place within where you feel most like yourself. I look forward to talking with you and exploring how we can work together to address your concerns.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, licensed to practice in the State of Texas (Lic. No. 52866). I have a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and over 11 years of work experience with survivors of violence, abuse and trauma. I have worked with survivors of interpersonal violence in different settings such as schools and nonprofits, including children, adolescents and adults. I have worked with a wide range of mental health concerns, including but not limited to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, parenting issues, and complex trauma. Most of my work has been with immigrants from Latin American countries in their native language.
I work independently through my private practice providing therapy to children and adults with mental health issues. My focus in both these settings is healing from trauma. My work as a therapist is driven by a strong belief that the best healing is done in connection. In connection to ourselves and to others. This is why I consider the therapeutic relationship to be the most important "tool" in therapy. I am committed to offering a calm and compassionate space in which to explore your concerns and beliefs. I truly believe that all the resources needed for you to heal and thrive are already within you and that you alone are the expert on your experience and your understanding of your life. My goal is to offer my professional training and knowledge in combination with a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship where you can deepen the connection with yourself, your loved ones and find that place within where you feel most like yourself. I look forward to talking with you and exploring how we can work together to address your concerns.
Valeria Lerma, LCSW
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I currently serve as the Clinical Director at Mind Your Self Counseling. I have professional experience providing individual therapy to children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. I’m also highly trained in the utilization of multiple treatment approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and more.
I specialize in trauma treatment (PTSD), as well as depression, anxiety, and marriage and family issues. I am also skilled in crisis intervention and Illness Management and Recovery for adults with severe mental illness. I very much enjoy working with children and adolescents as well and have experience in providing emotional skills training and psychotherapy for children with severe emotional disturbance. As a social worker, I am knowledgeable of community resources and have experience in medical and mental health care coordination. I provide a treatment approach that addresses environmental contributors to mental health needs. Working with me will involve making changes not only in yourself, but also in your environment so that you can be set up for success!
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I currently serve as the Clinical Director at Mind Your Self Counseling. I have professional experience providing individual therapy to children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. I’m also highly trained in the utilization of multiple treatment approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and more.
I specialize in trauma treatment (PTSD), as well as depression, anxiety, and marriage and family issues. I am also skilled in crisis intervention and Illness Management and Recovery for adults with severe mental illness. I very much enjoy working with children and adolescents as well and have experience in providing emotional skills training and psychotherapy for children with severe emotional disturbance. As a social worker, I am knowledgeable of community resources and have experience in medical and mental health care coordination. I provide a treatment approach that addresses environmental contributors to mental health needs. Working with me will involve making changes not only in yourself, but also in your environment so that you can be set up for success!
Esmeralda Cardenas, LPC
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have worked in the mental health field since 2013. I have offered support to children, teens and adults throughout my career. I am trained and certified in Perinatal Mood Anxiety Disorders through Postpartum Support International (PSI).
I value people's stories, their healing journeys, the paths they embark on to obtain emotional wellness. I am humbled by the trust people place on me to listen and hold their stories, their thoughts and emotions. I believe that every person has the ability to reach wholeness and I am honored to walk alongside every person who chooses this healing process. I know that parenthood is not easy for either parent and I am dedicated to offering support. I want to normalize what parenthood really is and help reach those parents, who like me, suffered in the dark, without support and possibly feeling ashamed of needing help. You deserve support and I am here for that.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have worked in the mental health field since 2013. I have offered support to children, teens and adults throughout my career. I am trained and certified in Perinatal Mood Anxiety Disorders through Postpartum Support International (PSI).
I value people's stories, their healing journeys, the paths they embark on to obtain emotional wellness. I am humbled by the trust people place on me to listen and hold their stories, their thoughts and emotions. I believe that every person has the ability to reach wholeness and I am honored to walk alongside every person who chooses this healing process. I know that parenthood is not easy for either parent and I am dedicated to offering support. I want to normalize what parenthood really is and help reach those parents, who like me, suffered in the dark, without support and possibly feeling ashamed of needing help. You deserve support and I am here for that.
Wendy Contreras, LPC
I am a licensed professional counselor who has been in the field for a little over 6 years. My multilayered lens brings healing, integration, and transformation to the lives of others through individual counseling. I guide mothers towards empowerment by helping them attune to the wisdom of their bodies through mindfulness and self compassion. I am passionate about supporting clients to lean into the discomfort while allowing it to transform them into feeling empowered and more in control of their day to day lives, whatever that may be.
I’m a bilingual Hispanic mother who understands what it's like to feel overwhelmed as a mom and I'm passionate about helping you achieve self-care in order to move into motherhood in a way that feels authentic to you. Before private practice most of my work has been working with adults who suffer from chronic pain and adolescent therapy. However, after my daughter was born, I believe I found my calling to work with moms who try to "do it all" and strive to do it perfectly. My additional specialties include anxiety, depression, and post-partum depression.
I am a licensed professional counselor who has been in the field for a little over 6 years. My multilayered lens brings healing, integration, and transformation to the lives of others through individual counseling. I guide mothers towards empowerment by helping them attune to the wisdom of their bodies through mindfulness and self compassion. I am passionate about supporting clients to lean into the discomfort while allowing it to transform them into feeling empowered and more in control of their day to day lives, whatever that may be.
I’m a bilingual Hispanic mother who understands what it's like to feel overwhelmed as a mom and I'm passionate about helping you achieve self-care in order to move into motherhood in a way that feels authentic to you. Before private practice most of my work has been working with adults who suffer from chronic pain and adolescent therapy. However, after my daughter was born, I believe I found my calling to work with moms who try to "do it all" and strive to do it perfectly. My additional specialties include anxiety, depression, and post-partum depression.
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512-865-5049
512-865-5049
