Meet the Staff
Brian J. Sneed, Ph.D., L.P. – Director and Staff Psychologist
Education: Ph.D.’from Brigham Young University in Counseling Psychology; M.S. from Brigham Young University in Counseling and School Psychology; B.S. from Brigham Young University in Psychology and Family Science
Experience: Assistant Director/Director of Training, University of Texas at El Paso – Counseling and Psychological Services; Post Doctoral Psychology Fellow, University of Texas at El Paso – Counseling and Psychological Services; Psychology Intern, University of Missouri at Kansas City – Counseling, Health and Testing Center; Practicum Extern, Brigham Young University – Accessibility Center; Practicum Counselor, Brigham Young University – Counseling and Career Center; School Psychology Intern, Provo City School District
Interests: Stress and Anxiety Management; Existential Psychotherapy; Psychological Assessment; Family of Origin Issues; Career Counseling and Assessment; Spirituality Issues and Theistic Approaches in Psychotherapy; Mentoring and Training.
Jorge A. Marquez, Ph.D., L.P. – Assistant Director of Training and Staff Psychologist
Education: Ph.D.’from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Clinical/Community Psychology; M.A. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Psychology; B.S. from University of Texas at El Paso in Psychology
Experience: Training Director of the El Paso Psychology Internship Consortium, University of Texas at El Paso – Counseling and Psychological Services; Post-Doctoral Psychology Fellow, University of Texas at El Paso – Counseling and Psychological Services; Psychology Intern, Wasatch Mental Health in Provo, Utah
Interests: Spanish speaking therapist; Issues impacting first generation college students; Social Justice and Diversity issues; Issues impacting Latinx students and undocumented college students; Issues affecting minority students; the intersectionality of identities; Issues affecting Military Veterans; Self-Harm Reduction and Emotion Regulation; Relationship Difficulties; Psychological Assessment; Mentoring (advisor to NAMI on Campus) and Training
Jeffrey Y. Kuroiwa, Ed.D, L.P.C. – Assistant Director of Clinical Services and Staff Counselor
Education: Ed.D. - The University of Texas at El Paso; M.Ed. in Educational Psychology and Counseling - The University of Texas at El Paso; BA in Psychology - The University of Texas at El Paso
Experience: Clinical Mental Health Counselor - The University of Texas at El Paso, Director and Clinical Counselor - ACCESS Employee Assistance Program, Clinical Mental Health Counselor - At what is currently El Paso Behavioral Health System
Interests: Anxiety/Stress Management, Coping with Depression, Self-esteem, Cultural diversity, Wellness, Developmental stage of life challenges.
Marieli Pinero Melendez, PhD., L.P. – Assistant Director of Outreach and Staff Psychologist
Education: PhD in Clinical Psychology from Carlos Albizu University- San Juan ; B.A in General Psychology in University of Puerto Rico- Rio Piedras
Experience: Post-Doctoral Psychology Fellow, University of Texas at El Paso – Counseling and Psychological Services; Psychology Intern, University of Texas at El Paso – Counseling and Psychological Services. Has had experience in college counseling, community mental health, residential treatment, clinical research, educational system.
Interests: Spanish speaking therapist, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); anxiety and depression, sexual orientation and gender diversity; diversity issues
Clinical Staff
Crystal Ayala, L.P.C. - Staff Counselor
Education: M.S. in Mental Health Counseling -The University of Texas at El Paso; B.S. in Psychology- The University of Texas at El Paso
Experience: Inpatient & Outpatient Therapist- El Paso Behavioral Health System; Contract Therapist/Student Intern- Family Service of El Paso; Crisis Specialist-Emergence Health Network.
Interests: Spanish speaking therapist; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Stress & Anxiety Management, Career Counseling, Mindfulness, & Self-Esteem.
Jazmin Gonzalez, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Education: Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology (New Mexico State University); M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (The University of Texas at El Paso); B.A. in Psychology (Baylor University)
Clinical Experience: Pre-doctoral Intern at The University of Texas at El Paso Counseling and Psychological Services; Previous practicum trainee at (1) NMSU Training and Research Clinic; (2) UTEP Counseling and Psychological Services; (3) Ben Archer Health Centers; (4) Zia Recovery Center
Clinical Interests: anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, psychodynamic therapy, attachment, group therapy, interpersonal process in therapy, multicultural orientation, cultural humility, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, psychotherapy process and outcome
Cecilia M. Holguin, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. – Community Liaison and Staff Social Worker
Education: M.S. in Social Work from University of Texas at Austin; B.S in Psychology from University of Texas at El Paso
Experience: Community Liaison, The University of Texas at El Paso - Counseling and Psychological Service; Social Work Practicum Supervisor, University of Texas at El Paso - Counseling and Psychological Services; Clinical Therapist, NCED Psychiatric Hospital (currently known as El Paso Behavioral Health System)- El Paso, TX; Migrant Social Worker, Region 19 –El Paso, TX; Clinical Therapist, El Paso Psychiatric Center- El Paso, TX
Interests: Mindfulness; Career Counseling; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Spirituality Issues; Relationship Issues; Loss, Stress Management; Supervision
David Jones, Ph.D., L.P. – Staff Psychologist
Education: Ph.D. from Western Michigan University in Counseling Psychology; M.Ed. from Grand Valley State University in College Student Affairs and Leadership; B.S. Central Michigan University in Psychology with a minor in Spanish
Experience: Staff Psychologist and Assessment Coordinator, University of Texas at El Paso – Counseling and Psychological Services; Post-Doctoral Psychology Fellow, University of Texas at El Paso – Counseling and Psychological Services; Coordinator for Sexual Assault Prevention and Education, Western Michigan University; Assistant Director of the Alcohol Education Research and Training (ALERT) Labs, Grand Valley State University
Interests: Social justice and diversity; The psychological impact of racism, sexism and discrimination; Working with at-risk and/or formerly incarcerated individuals; Men's issues in therapy; Veterans; Spirituality and Indigenous/Traditional healing techniques; Survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence; Substance use and addiction; Coping with ADHD and other learning disabilities; Anxiety; The psychology of happiness; Working transgender students and those who identify as part of the LGBTQAI community.
Celia Medrano-Ortiz, M.A., - Clinical Case Manager
Education: M.A. from University of Texas at El Paso in Clinical Psychology; B.A. University of Texas at El Paso
Experience: Clinical Case Manager, University of Texas at El Paso; Practicum, Counseling and Psychological Services, University of Texas at El Paso; Psychology Undergraduate Advisor, University of Texas at El Paso
Interests: Anxiety Management; Existential Psychotherapy; Art Therapy; Mindfulness
Postdoctoral Fellows
Erika Pereda, Psy.D. (she/her/hers)
Education: Psy.D. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology; B.S. in Psychology, Biology minor, from The University of Texas at El Paso.
Clinical Experience: Post-Doctoral Fellow and Pre-doctoral Intern at The University of Texas at El Paso Counseling and Psychological Services/Texas Tech University Health Science Center Department of Psychiatry; Practicum Trainee at San Diego State University Counseling and Psychological Services, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, Vista Balboa Crisis Center, and San Diego Center for The Blind.
Clinical Interests: Bilingual services (English and Spanish), depression, anxiety, stress management, grief and loss, interpersonal conflict, self-understanding and insight-oriented therapy, sexual orientation and gender diversity, acculturation, cultural diversity and intersectional identities exploration; Psychodynamic Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychological and career assessment.
Education: Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) Anaheim; M.A. in Clinical Psychology from TCSPP; B.S. in Clinical Psychology from University of California, San Diego.
Experience: Pre-doctoral intern at the University of Texas at El Paso Counseling and Psychological Services; Previous practicum trainee at (1) South Coast Children’s Society, Costa Mesa CA; (2) Straight Talk Counseling, Santa Ana CA; (3) Allied Psychological Services P.C., Newport Beach CA.
Interests: Art, anxiety, test-anxiety, client-centered therapy, existential anxiety, attachment theory, schema therapy, identity and values exploration, etc.
Interns
Angelica Dominguez, (she/her/hers)
Education: : Counseling Psychology Doctoral Candidate at Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio; M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, UT San Antonio; B.A. in Sociology, Government & Spanish, UT Austin.
Experience: Pre-doctoral Intern at the University of Texas at El Paso & Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Department of Psychiatry; Clinical Practicum Trainee at South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio; St. Mary’s University Student Counseling Center; Testing Technician at Mission Psychology, San Antonio.
Interests: Spanish/Bilingual Therapy; Social Justice and Diversity issues; Issues impacting first generation college students; Issues impacting Latinx students and undocumented college students; Issues affecting minority students; sexual orientation and gender diversity; Intersectionality of identities; Issues affecting Military Veterans; Trauma-Informed Care; Health Psychology; Eating Disorders; Substance use and addiction; Psychological Assessment.
Demi Kourtesi,
Education: Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate (University of Nevada, Las Vegas); M.A. in Psychology (California State University, Los Angeles); B.A. in Psychology (California State University, East Bay).
Experience: Pre-doctoral Intern at the University of Texas at El Paso Counseling and Psychological Services and at Texas Tech University Health Science Center Department of Psychiatry. Previous practicum experience at (1) Medens Health – Non-profit psychological practice (2) Sandstone Psychological Practice - Private (3) The PRACTICE – Community Mental Health Clinic (4) Alpine Special Treatment Center – Inpatient facility (5) Psychiatric Centers at San Diego (PCSD) – Center for the treatment of Autism (6) Center for Learning and Autism Support Services (CLASS).
Interests: Personality Disorders (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal, Narcissistic, Borderline, Histrionic, Antisocial, Avoidant, Dependent, OCPD), OCD, Phobias, Illness Anxiety, Delusional Disorder, Hoarding, Paraphilic Disorders, Psychodynamic Therapy.
Sergio Loya,
Education: As a first-generation Mexican-American immigrant, A bicultural perspective from living on the border between the United States and Mexico influenced my career in clinical psychology. As a child, my family moved to El Paso, Texas, seeking a better life and providing my brother and me with a better education. Our family's social mobility allowed me to pursue personal goals and higher education, including being the first in my family to receive a college degree from an American university. I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology from New Mexico State University. I became determined to become a mental health clinician after college while working with an intellectually disabled population in Denver, Colorado. I decided to move to El Paso and work as a case manager with a population experiencing severe mental illness.
Experience: Working with underserved individuals at a rural mental health clinic, my awareness of the social problems that play a role in the individual's mental health. As a proud parent of two beautiful girls, I resolve to provide quality clinical care for at-risk youth and families. Their struggle brings to mind the parents' role in the child's development. The parents' personal and interpersonal problems can affect their ability to parent, and how limited resources require strategies that promote their strengths, resiliency, and self-efficacy. Enrolling and completing a master's program changed my viewpoint of what is possible in life. I became a licensed therapist and have had the privilege and opportunity to provide high-quality, evidence-based treatment while developing competency as a clinician.
Interests: I decided to enter a clinical psychology doctoral program to become a leader in the community that can help increase awareness of issues affecting the community and reduce mental health stigma. I wanted a socially impactful career as a clinician working in an underserved rural community with ethnic minorities with a culturally diverse background. I have also given presentations to the community in English and Spanish to inform the community of available resources and increase social cohesion. Personal experiences have inspired a commitment to a helping profession and training to further competency development. I aim to continue providing quality care for my patients in the coming years.
Charmaine Mora-Ozuna, M.S., Ed.S (she/her(s)/ella)
Education: : Doctoral Candidate in Counseling Psychology at The University of Georgia; M.S./Ed.S. in Mental Health Counseling, Florida State University; B.A. in Psychology, Georgia State University.
Experience: Pre-doctoral Intern at the University of Texas at El Paso and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center- El Paso, Department of Psychiatry. Previous practicum training in college counseling (psychological testing), community mental health, and hospital settings.
Interests: Intergenerational/ complex trauma and resilience; intimate partner violence; racial, ethnic, & cultural identity; anti-racist, social justice lens; strengths-based approach; bilingual (English/Spanish) and bicultural therapy; immigration-related concerns; anxiety and depression; psychological assessments.
Practicum Trainees
Sophia Daley (she/ella)
Education: : Counseling Psychology Doctoral Student at New Mexico State University; B.S. Psychological Studies/B.A. Spanish & Hispanic Studies from Creighton University.
Experience: Practicum Student at the University of Texas at El Paso Counseling and Psychological Services; Previous Practicum Trainee at the CEPY Training Clinic at New Mexico State University.
Interests: Working with Latinx and LGBTQ+ clients through a lens of multiculturalism and decoloniality; bilingual (Spanish-English) therapy; therapeutic influences: narrative therapy, existential therapy, psychodynamic, relational-cultural theory, and liberation psychology.
Rebecca Fierro Perez-Martinez
Education: B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Clinical Psychology (expected by 2024), PhD in Health Psychology (expected by 2025), and L.P.C. (expected by 2026), The University of Texas at El Paso.
Experience: Clinical research, The Latino Alcohol and Health Disparities Research and Training Center, The University of Texas at El Paso.
Interests: Spanish speaking therapist; cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), positive psychology, career counseling, identity and values exploration, emotional-dysregulation, grief, depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD.
Mariany Gainza Perez, M.A. (she/her/ella)
Education: In the Counseling Psychology PhD program at New Mexico State University; M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso; B.S. in Psychology and minors in Biology and Sociology from Southwestern University.
Experience: : Practicum student at the University of Texas at El Paso Counseling and Psychological Services. Previous practicum experience at Family Services of El Paso and the New Mexico State University Training Clinic.
Interests: Working with Latinx and graduate student populations, anxiety, depression, ADHD, cognitive behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, feminist orientation, bilingual counseling.
Jacqueline Magallanes
Education: Currently pursuing MS in Mental Health Counseling – UT El Paso; BA in Psychology – UT El Paso.
Experience: Currently a Practicum Clinician – UT El Paso (Counseling and Psychological Services). Crisis Specialist – Emergence Health Network.
Interests: Bilingual services (Spanish and English). Anxiety, depression, and stress management. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Support Staff
Vanessa Zamora, MBA - Administrative Services Manager – Counseling and Psychological Services
Sylvia Serrano, Administrative Secretary – Counseling and Psychological Services
Trina DeMaria, Administrative Assistant II - Counseling and Psychological Services