Meet the Staff

Psychologists

Bethany

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Bethany Wellman, PsyD
Position/Areas of Responsibility:

Psychologist, Sr. 

 

APA Training Coordinator
Degrees: Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Emphasis)- Marshall University  
Licensure and Certifications: Licensed Psychologist NM PSY-1541/ TX PSY-39070
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: My primary training and experience has been working with individuals navigating socio-economic stressors, including housing and food insecurities. I also enjoy working with non-traditional students (ex: previously incarcerated individuals, youth aging out of foster care, students with serious and persistent mental illness). I have also received specialized training in working with undocumented clients and mixed-status families.
Theoretical Orientation:

My primary theoretical orientation is humanistic/person centered, grounded in attachment theory. I frequently utilize interventions from feminist-multicultural theories and third wave CBT approaches.  
Personal Interests: I enjoy visiting road-side attractions, live music, and ghost hunting.

 

Alejandro

Name: Alejandro Cervantes, PhD
Position/Areas of Responsibility:

Psychologist & Practicum Facilitator
Degrees: Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from New Mexico State University, 2020
Licensure and Certifications: Licensed Psychologist (NM PSY-1739)
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: First-generation college students, students of color, men of color, men's mental health issues, relational concerns, and group therapy.
Theoretical Orientation: Relational Cultural Theory and Multicultural Feminist within a social justice and multicultural lens. I also utilize gestalt therapy, interpersonal process therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and systems approach in my clinical work. Because my therapeutic approach integrates Relational Cultural Theory and Multicultural Feminist, I assist students through creative and experiential interventions to best navigate and understand their multiple intersecting identities within oppressive structures. Through this integrative approach, I help students increase awareness of internal and external interruptions to accept and understand how they feel. Finally, I enjoy working with all students and presenting concerns.
Personal Interests: I enjoy watching sports, particularly teams from Los Angeles, California. I also enjoy playing tennis, and I hope to be more involved in the Las Cruces Tennis Association one day. I am a fan of awards shows and cooking shows. My partner and I love to watch movies and television shows together, whether the shows are comedy or drama. My partner and I are getting ready to have a baby, so we learn how to be parents. Therefore, my current personal interest is preparing how to be a father!

Counselors

Louie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:Louie C. Atencio, LPCC
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Counselor, Employee Assistance Program- EAP
Degrees: M.S. in Counseling and Psychology from Troy State University
Licensure and Certifications: Licensed by the NM, Therapy and Practice Board as a License Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).
Licensed by the NM, Therapy and Practice Board as a License Alcohol Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC).
NBCC National Board, of Certified Counselors, since 2006.
Completed EMDR II training for adolescents and adults suffering from trauma and PTSD.
Certification- Trauma Focused CBT, for adolescents and adults’ suffering from PTSD.
Certification- Key Supervisor for the Matrix Model Intensive Outpatient Program.
Certification- Matrix Model, Intensive Outpatient Program,
Certification- MRT Moral Reconation Therapy Advanced Training.
Certification- CRAFT, (Community Reinforcement and Family Therapy) Model.
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: Anxiety, depression, trauma, physical abuse, sexual abuse, substance abuse, and group therapy, clinical supervision.
Theoretical Orientation: I like exploring with clients what their strengths and challenges are, and then developing a treatment approach that helps support them to be able to retain their strengths and to work on their challenges.
Personal Interests: I like fishing and spending time with my family. I also like to listen to audiobooks. I enjoy cooking with my family on the weekends.

 Callum

Name: Callum Grevas
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Counselor
Degrees:

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fort Hays State University, 2022
Licensure and Certifications: Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New Mexico
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: Anxiety, Perfectionism, Grief, Mindfulness, Student-Athlete Mental Health
Theoretical Orientation: My theoretical approach stems on the cognitive therapy model as well as mindfulness practices. I like to work with clients on accepting their struggles and learning to live with them in a healthy way. I reach into the bag of multiple different counseling therapies during sessions and often pick and choose depending on the client’s needs.
Personal Interests: Sports ranks high at my list of hobbies and interests. I enjoy following my favorite sports teams closely throughout the year. If I am not watching sports, I am probably watching movies or TV shows with my wife. I was born and raised in Kansas and am looking forward to exploring the beauty that New Mexico has to offer.

Vanessa

Name: Vanessa Paz, LMHC
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Counselor & Outreach Facilitator 
Degrees: MA in Counseling from New Mexico State University 2014
Licensure and Certifications: Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New Mexico 
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: Identity-based, empowerment-focused, trauma-informed approaches
Theoretical Orientation: Feminist Therapy, Multicultural Counseling
Personal Interests: Family, furry friends, finding beauty through art, enjoying live music, and cooking for pleasure.

 

 

Name: Marie Zubiate 
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Counselor 
Degrees:

MEd in Counselor Education (Community Counseling Emphasis) from Texas Tech University; Doctoral Candidate in Counselor Education (Career Development Emphasis) from Texas Tech University
Licensure and Certifications: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (New Mexico), Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (Texas) 
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: First-generation students, career counseling and assessment, stress management, international students, multi-cultural issues, life transitions, anxiety, sandtray, women’s mental health, group counseling, emerging adults, grief, bilingual counseling (Spanish), outreach, counselor education and supervision. Since 2017, I have taught counseling courses at Texas Woman’s University, Texas Tech University, the University of Texas at El Paso and Midwestern State University.
Theoretical Orientation: Solution-focused brief counseling model exploring strengths, barriers, and creative arts interventions; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Sandtray Therapy
Personal Interests: Originally from El Paso, I enjoy reading a good book, cooking, traveling, shopping, tea and coffee drinking, and lounging with my Golden Retriever, Duchess. 

Psychology Resident 

Kevin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Kevin Rodriquez, PhD
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Psychology Post-Doc
Degrees:

B.S. in Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University

M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University

PhD in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University  
Licensure and Certifications:
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: Mindfulness, trauma-informed care, culturally congruent cognitive behavioral therapy, dialect behavioral therapy, complex trauma, community mental health, Latinx mental health, grief, suicide intervention and risk assessment, health psychology, and community mental health.
Theoretical Orientation: Culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy, multicultural counseling, and Mindfulness
Personal Interests: Traveling, music festivals, concerts, hanging out with my dog, being a social justice advocate and videogames.  

 Elysa

Name: Elysa Fraginals, PsyD
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Psychology Post-Doc
Degrees:

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

M.A. in Clinical Psychology
Licensure and Certifications:

 
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise:

My professional interests include working with young adults, group and individual therapy, neurodiverse clients, assessments, anxiety, depression, identity development, working with individuals of varying cultural backgrounds, and creating a space where individuals feel comfortable to connect and practice interpersonal/social skills.
Theoretical Orientation:

My theoretical orientations include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Humanistic Therapy, practiced through a multicultural lens.
Personal Interests:

My personal interests include traveling, attending music events, spirituality, trying new foods, being in nature, practicing mindfulness and being a cat mom (: 

Psychology Interns

Elapite-Headshot.jpg

Name:Esther Lapite
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Psychology Intern 
Degrees:

Doctoral Candidate (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology
M.A. in Clinical Psychology
Licensure and Certifications: Mental Health First Aid Certified
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: My experience and interests are centered around individuals with multiple minoritized identities. I find great joy in proving social-justice and compassionate informed care to communities of color who are currently, or have experienced, sexual assault, abuse in the foster care system, high conflict relationships, or injustices regarding immigration/asylum seeking. I help these communities find language to describe their past traumas, manage symptoms of anxiety, learn skills to handle moments of crisis, build meaningful connections with themselves and others, as well as gain resources to help navigate their current socio-political barriers.
Theoretical Orientation: My primary theoretical orientation is contemporary psychodynamic psychotherapy, but I frequently utilize interventions from narrative therapy, mentalization based therapy, exposure therapy, somatic therapy, and third wave CBT approaches. These approaches help me best understand how my client's early experiences impact their current thought patterns, feelings, and behaviors, how we can help them re-write their life story, and discover what skills or tools might be most effective in carving this newfound path. I also enjoy integrating mindfulness, compassion, gratitude, and the use of (anime and comic book) superheroes in my work with clients, and often operate from an emotion-focused, values-driven, and relational framework.
Personal Interests: I enjoy reading (romance) novels, spending quality time with my fiancé and loved ones, as well as helping people develop and grow their business ideas. I also enjoy meaningful discussions around existentialism, spirituality, the human experience, and how we can work to improve the world one - oppressive structure at a time.

Yelena.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Yelena Salkowitz
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Psychology Intern 
Degrees:

New Mexico State University, Doctoral Candidate in CEP

Towson University, Counseling Psychology, M.A., Psychology, B.S.
Licensure and Certifications: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: I am interested in nature therapy and the use of natural environments to help individuals heal by reconnecting to themselves, others, and the natural world. I love incorporating nature-based mindfulness practices into my work and using these techniques to help with anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, eating disorders, and various topics. My overall goal is to continuously better myself as a human being and further understand my positionality in this world so that I may create brave, comfortable, and healing spaces of people from all walks of life. I truly enjoy working with individuals who are looking to find their voice and be heard. I also have a special interest in working with the LGBTQIAA+ community and guiding individuals in their exploration of sexuality, gender, gender expression, and identity development.
Theoretical Orientation: Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) with a Mindfulness Influence
Personal Interests: I find great joy in connecting with nature and you will often find me hiking, walking, meditating, gardening, or just hanging outside when I am not working. I am also an avid reader and love a quiet day with a book and one of my many dogs or cats cuddled up with me. My partner and I also love taking road trips and searching for good coffee from small, local coffee shops.  

Practicum Counselors

Name:  Mariah Durst-Cisneros
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Practicum Counselor 
Degrees:

B.F.A in Illustration from The Rocky Mountain College and Design In progress - M.A. In Clinical Mental Health Counseling from New Mexico State University
Licensure and Certifications:  
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: My professional interests consist of working with individuals on anxiety, depression, stress, relational and familial concerns, life transitions, trauma work, ADHD, and self-esteem.
Theoretical Orientation: I take inspiration from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Adlerian Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Personal Interests:

Learning about various topics (formerly was cave diving, now I’ve moved on to learning about ocean liners!). Trying out new activities related to self-care, such as exercise, hiking, biking, and drawing for fun. Reading anything that has a fictional component (especially fantasy) & enjoying a good anime. And finally, spending time with my loved ones!
Name: 

Katia McEvoy-Holguin
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Practicum Counselor 
Degrees:

 
Licensure and Certifications:  M.S. Counseling Psychology
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: I have enjoyed working with everyone I have met. I learn a lot from every single person I have served in my capacity as a mental health provider. I am a Mexican immigrant, so I like working with individuals navigating immigration and transitions as I know it can be challenging. I also like being able to serve my Hispanic community in any capacity.
Theoretical Orientation: My foundation is in Psychodynamic theory and Person-Center approaches. However, I am also very inspired by knowledge outside the clinical field. I incorporate principles of Mujersita Theology and Chicana Feminism in my work as I aim to make healing a holistic experience that does not divide our mente, cuerpo, y alma (mind, body, and spirit).  Instead, I invite everyone to look at everything, including the systems within our environment that perpetuate imbalance and disconnection.  
Personal Interests:

Whenever I am not in school, I like to watch TV. Some of my favorite shows include most of the stuff from the 90-Day Fiance universe, Bob’s burgers, Futurama, What We Do in the Shadows, Project Runway…and more! I also enjoy art (painting, writing poetry and stories). I value connections, so I am always making time for my family and friends, including my two cats: Jo and Alfie. As a personal goal this semester, I am reconnecting with some activities I used to enjoy when I was younger like spending time in nature (in my garden) and ballet dancing.
Name: 

Stephanie Zackery
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Practicum Counselor 
Degrees:

MS in Counseling 
Licensure and Certifications:  
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: Black, Native American, and Multiracial clients, Career counseling, Stress and Anxiety
Theoretical Orientation: An integrative orientation consisting of ACT, Solution-focused, and person-centered with the use of a variety of mindfulness techniques
Personal Interests:

I love reading, particularly science fiction and fantasy, writing creatively, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and drinking tea.
Name:  Kris Hua
Position/Areas of Responsibility: Practicum Counselor 
Degrees:

 B.A. Psychology from Redlands University
Licensure and Certifications:  
Professional Interests and Areas of Expertise: I am, broadly, interested in serving BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, and/or neurodivergent communities; with a further emphasis on Southeast Asian, Trans/Nonbinary, ADHD/ASD experiences. I am learning how to focus my work in community & collectivistic methods of healing, and traditions, spiritual exploration, fostering self and social awareness, and culturally informed assessment and diagnosis for BIPOC and gender expansive communities.
Theoretical Orientation: My theoretical orientation is loosely encompassed broadly by humanistic principles and frameworks (e.g., client-centered, existential, transpersonal). Additionally, I have interest in further incorporating culturally and critically conscious frameworks and techniques ( e.g., radical healing, feminist theory, relational cultural therapy, and self-compassion and mindfulness work rooted in eastern values).
Personal Interests:

I enjoy dabbling in many creative outlets (e.g., painting, photography, thrifting, cooking, writing, bass playing) and trying out new ones when I have a chance. I love sharing space with my two cat babies, and exploring new sights and activities. I can always appreciate some art, music, and film.