Mariaelena Knight completed her Master of Social Work Degree at New Mexico State University and her Business Administration Degree at the University of Phoenix. Mariaelena was born and raised in El Paso and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She has a Clinical License to practice in Texas and New Mexico and is a Certified Anger Resolution Therapist. She has 17 years of Social Work experience across various settings, including Child Protective Services, Foster and Adoption, Clinical Social Work, and private practice. Mariaelena has an appreciation for working with individuals, families, and couples. She has clinical experience treating depression, anxiety, anger, relational problems, grief, and prenatal and postpartum depression. Her therapeutic approach accentuates a safe, open, non-judgmental place, and holistic style to mental health where her clients can find comfort, validation, and insight.

Jennifer Lopez, LPC, is a Veteran of the United States Army and Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. She graduated from Texas A&M University-Central Texas in 2019 with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She joined the United States Army in 2007 and has two combat tours to Iraq. She completed her internship and worked in the correctional setting as a Mental Health Counselor providing individual therapy, group therapy, and crisis interventions. She has clinical experience with treating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, gender dysphoria, life transitions, mild cognitive impairments, and intellectual disabilities. She is trained in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. She utilizes a non-judgmental and open approach which works well across all demographics, cultures, and beliefs.  She is a native El Pasoan who returned to serve her community.

A native of El Paso, Elizabeth Mays, LPC attended Texas A & M University and received a B.A. in Psychology. She later earned a Master of Education in Counseling from Sam Houston State University in 2012.  She has experience providing counseling services to various individuals, particularly adolescents, in various settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency placement shelters. When working with clients, Ms. Mays utilizes both person-centered and trauma-informed care techniques to provide a compassionate approach to counseling.  She provides counseling in English and Spanish.

Kristen Macias is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPC-A) in the state of Texas, currently serving clients as a Contract Therapist at the Cognitive Behavioral Institute of El Paso. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology from The University of Texas at Austin and earned her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from The University of Texas at El Paso. Kristen brings a diverse clinical background to her role, with experience in outpatient and inpatient behavioral health settings, crisis intervention, and applied behavior analysis. She has worked with individuals across the lifespan facing challenges such as emotional regulation, behavioral disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and co-occurring mental health conditions. In her therapeutic work, Kristen applies a trauma-informed and collaborative approach, utilizing evidence-based practices to help clients achieve stability, resilience, and growth.

Andrea Luna is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPC-A) in the state of Texas, under the supervision of Cristal Acosta, LPC-S.  Andrea earned her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from The University of Texas at El Paso and utilizes evidence-based approaches to support clients in their healing journey. Andrea brings experience from outpatient, group, and nonprofit settings, having worked with adults, teens, LGBTQ+ individuals, and the Latinx community. Her clinical background includes trauma-informed care, advocacy, group therapy, and case management. She approaches her work through a culturally responsive and socially conscious lens, with a strong emphasis on creating safe and empowering spaces for clients from diverse backgrounds. Andrea integrates modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and person-centered therapy, while incorporating somatic practices to help clients connect with their bodies and process emotional experiences. She is bilingual in Spanish and passionate about decolonizing mental health by centering holistic healing and self-trust.

Andres Leday is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPC-A) in the state of Texas and a proud United States Army Veteran with 23 years of honorable service. He earned his Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Texas at El Paso.  With experience as a soldier, teacher, and nurse, he offers a unique and multifaceted perspective that enhances his ability to connect with clients from all walks of life.  He is deeply passionate about helping others, with a special focus on strengthening marriages and interpersonal relationships. Andres is particularly committed to supporting men in accessing, understanding, and expressing their emotions in healthy, constructive ways. His therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, cultural sensitivity, and mutual respect. Andres strives to create a safe, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered to grow. Whether working with individuals, couples, or groups, he is dedicated to fostering meaningful connection and lasting change.

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Patricia Nevarez is committed to providing compassionate, personalized care to help individuals navigate life’s challenges and find meaningful growth. Whether someone is facing anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, or life transitions, Patricia is there to offer support. Using evidence-based practices like ACT, CBT, and mindfulness therapies, she focuses on resilience, self-esteem, and coping skills. She also specializes in working with veterans, seniors, women’s issues, racial identity, and codependency, tailoring care to each person's unique needs. Together with her clients, she creates a safe space for healing and works toward a brighter future. Patricia understands that the path to healing and growth can sometimes feel overwhelming. It’s normal to feel uncertain when starting therapy, but she wants her clients to know they don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

Cynthia Arreola Ramirez, LCSW, is a dedicated and compassionate clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate life’s most challenging moments. From trauma and pediatric crises to intensive care and end-of-life support, Cynthia brings deep empathy, professionalism, and resilience to every client interaction. Cynthia’s therapeutic approach is grounded in respect for each person’s unique needs and circumstances. Her bilingual fluency in English and Spanish helps her serve diverse populations in El Paso and the surrounding communities, including Mexico. She takes pride in providing culturally sensitive care and building strong relationships with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams. Cynthia understands that beginning the journey toward healing and support can feel overwhelming. That’s why she works collaboratively to empower her clients with the tools, guidance, and resources needed to move forward. Her goal is to help each person feel heard, supported, and capable of building a meaningful path toward well-being.

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Esmeralda Cruz is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate at The Cognitive Behavioral Institute of El Paso. She earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University. Esmeralda brings a warm, collaborative approach to therapy, focusing on creating a safe and supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. Esmeralda has experience working with adolescents, adults, and families facing challenges such as anxiety, OCD, trauma, PTSD, depression, anger, and emotional regulation difficulties. Collaboration is at the core of her work, helping clients build tools and insights that support healing and personal growth. She employs a person-centered approach to fit the unique needs of every client. Esmeralda gained her clinical experience through her practicum and internship, where she supported individuals and families from all walks of life. This training deepened her compassion for the diverse challenges people face and reinforced her commitment to providing culturally sensitive, inclusive care. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Esmeralda is passionate about creating a space where clients can bring their full, authentic selves to therapy.

Michelle Fernandez is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the state of Texas. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Houston and brings over six years of experience serving diverse and often underserved populations, including veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, justice-involved individuals, and those navigating substance use or co-occurring behavioral health conditions. Michelle has worked in outpatient behavioral health, hospital intake, re-entry programs, and nonprofit settings, offering both direct support and long-term case management. Michelle provides care for adults, adolescents, and families, with a focus on building trust, safety, and connection through trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices. She integrates strengths-based and person-centered approaches to support clients facing life transitions, mental health challenges, and systemic barriers. Michelle is committed to creating inclusive, empowering spaces that honor each individual’s story and resilience.

Ella Gwen Orcutt is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in both Texas and South Carolina, specializing in the mental health care of adolescents and young adults. She earned her Education Specialist degree in Counselor Education from the University of South Carolina, completing the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track. Ella brings a strong background in school-based mental health services, having provided therapy, crisis intervention, and family support across middle and high schools. Her clinical experience includes individual and group therapy, crisis management, and collaboration with systems such as juvenile justice and child welfare. She is trained in evidence-based approaches including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Ella is passionate about supporting teens and young adults through life transitions, identity development, and emotional regulation, and she strives to foster safe, open, and collaborative therapeutic spaces that empower youth toward long-term wellness.‍