Meet the Staff

Directors
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/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: Outreach 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; 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.
Clinical Staff
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
Elisa Dobler M.S.W., L.C.S.W. – CoHS Liaison and Embedded Staff Social Worker
Education: Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at El Paso, M.A. from Bowling Green State University and Bachelor of Arts from University of Texas at El Paso
Experience:Elisa Dobler, LCSW worked as a therapist at the El Paso Child Guidance Center from October of 2015 to October 2019. During her tenure with the non-profit agency she was Outreach Coordinator and provided counseling services primarily to victims of crime of all ages. Currently she is trained in TF-CBT, EMDR among other modalities. Elisa has a Master of Arts from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Science in Social Work from UTEP. While in the master of social work program, Elisa was awarded the Hogg Bilingual Scholarship for Mental Health and the SAMSHA/HRSA Borderland Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Initiative Grant. Previously, Elisa worked in public education as an IB English (International Baccalaureate) teacher and English IV teacher from 2006-2013.
InterestsShe is trilingual and enjoys taking weekend hikes, playing the piano and spending time with family.
Crystal Ayala, L.P.C.
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.
Adrian Chavira, L.P.C., L.C.D.C.
Education: M.S. Mental Health Counseling - University of Phoenix
Experience: Center Against Sexual and Family Violence - Battering Intervention Prevention Director 2008-2018. El Paso Child Guidance Center - Therapist 2019 - 2021
Interests: Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Attachment Based Trauma Informed Intervention), Eye Movement Desensitization Re-Processing (EMDR), Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
David Jones, Ph.D., L.P. – Assessment Coordinator and 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.
Marieli Pinero Melendez, PhD., L.P. – Outreach Coordinator 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
Krista Powell, Psy.D. – Diversity Coordinator
Education: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium; M.S. in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University
Experience: college counseling, community mental health, residential treatment, Veteran mental health, clinical research, mental health advocacy
Interests: multicultural counseling; body image; acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); mindfulness-based interventions; self-compassion; mental health wellness; psychological assessment
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: 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
TBA
Interns
Jazmin Gonzalez, M.Ed. (she/her/hers)
Education: Ph.D. Candidate 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, interpersonal process in therapy, group therapy, multicultural orientation, cultural humility, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, psychotherapy process and outcome.
Dulcinea Jauregui, M.Psy. (she/her/hers)
Education: Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate at Divine Mercy University; Master in Psychology (M.Psy.) from Divine Mercy University; B.A. in Psychology from The University of California, Berkeley.
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 trainee at (1) IPS Center for Psychological Services, Divine Mercy University; (2) The Child Development Program at Children’s National Medical Center, Washington D.C.; (3) Fountain of Life, LLC (4) University Towson University Counseling Center; (5) Neuropsychology Associates of Fairfax.
Interests: Stress-reduction, mindfulness-based interventions, anxiety and depression, multicultural orientation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychological assessment, positive psychology, interpersonal process in therapy, attachment, military psychology, and trauma informed interventions.
Beatriz Rodriguez, M.A. (she/her/hers)
Education: Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate (Xavier University); M.A. in Psychology (Xavier University); B.S. in Psychology (The University of Florida).
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) University of Cincinnati (UC) Family Guidance Clinic; (2) Central Clinic Child and Family Treatment Center; (3) UC Department of Psychiatry, Division of Bipolar Disorder Research; (4) Cincinnati Children’s Center for ADHD.
Interests: psychotherapy and assessment in Spanish, ADHD, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, cultural diversity and intersectional identities exploration, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed Interventions, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, self-understanding and insight-oriented therapy.
Victor Carrasco, M.A. (he/him/his)
Education: Counseling Psychology Doctoral Candidate from University of Denver, M.A in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with minor in integrated primary behavioral health from New Mexico State University; B.A. in Psychology from New Mexico 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; crisis clinician and therapist at AllHealth Network Acute Care Campus, Littleton CO, a clinical trainee at Rocky Mountain Neuropsychological Consultants, Denver, CO; clinical trainee at the Denver County Jail Sheriff’s Department, Denver, CO; a clinical trainee at Colorado Therapy and Assessment Center, Denver, CO; clinical trainee at Mesilla Valley Psychiatric Hospital, Las Cruces, NM; clinical trainee at Ben Archer Health Center, Las Cruces, NM; clinical trainee at Zia Middle School, Las Cruces, NM; clinical trainee at New Mexico State University Student Counseling training clinic, Las Cruces, NM; assessment trainee at Kaplan and Associates, Las Cruces, NM.
Clinical Interests: Working with Spanish-speaking communities, inpatient treatment, treatment for severe mental illness, Forensic Psychology, psychological assessment, third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapies including ACT, Mindfulness, and DBT, and integrated behavioral health.
Practicum Trainees
Jessie Nelson, M.A. (they/them/theirs)
Education: Doctoral student at New Mexico State University; M.A. in Educational Psychology – Community Counseling at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; B.A. in Psychology at the University of South Alabama
Experience: Practicum Training Student at the Counseling & Educational Psychology Training and Research Clinic, New Mexico State University; Counselor at ALT Recovery Group in Las Cruces, NM; Student Extern at Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York, NE; Student Extern at Lincoln Correctional Center in Lincoln, NE; Practicum Training Student at the Training Clinic, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Clinical Interests: Transgender-identified therapist, Multicultural Feminist therapy, Gestalt therapy, trauma counseling, LGB issues, transgender and nonbinary issues
Jaden Sargent, B.S. (she/her/hers)
Education: Current M.S. student at West Virginia University in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling; B.S. in Biology and Forensic and Investigative Sciences
Experiences: Service Coordinator for Assertive Community Treatment team at Valley Healthcare Systems in Morgantown, WV
Clinical Interests: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Substance Use Disorder Management, Case Management, Career Counseling
Kevin Yabes, M.S. (he/him/his)
Education: Ph.D. Student in Counseling Psychology at New Mexico State University, M.S. in Counseling with a concentration in Multicultural Community Counseling from San Diego State University; B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from San Diego State University
Experience: Practicum Trainee, NMSU Counseling & Educational Psychology Training Clinic; Program Therapist, San Pasqual Academy; Mental Health Clinician, New Vistas Crisis Center; Practicum Trainee, High Tech High (Point Loma and Chula Vista Campuses); Practicum Trainee, Center for Counseling & Community Engagement.
Clinical Interests: Asian American psychology, issues affecting current and former military dependents, and Relational-Cultural Therapy.
Yuxuan Zhao, M.Ed. (she/her/hers)
Education: B.A. in Psychology at Case Western Reserve University; M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology at University of Missouri-Columbia; Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at New Mexico State University (in progress)
Experience: student clinician at Integrative Behavioral Health Clinic (MO); practicum training student at the Counseling & Educational Psychology Training and Research Clinic, New Mexico State University (NM)
Clinical Interests: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy; Cognitive Processing Therapy; bilingual therapy in Mandarin and English; mental health issues of immigrants/international students and of LGBTQ+ populations.
Support Staff
Patricia Curry, Administrative Assistant I – Counseling and Psychological Services
Sylvia Serrano, Administrative Secretary – Counseling and Psychological Services