Meet the Team

Joanna Vela, LPC-S, LCDC, NCC

Director

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Treatment Approach: I utilize Cognitive Behavioral and Person-Centered therapy approaches as the core of my work with students. I believe the most powerful force in the treatment process creates a safe space for clients to feel seen and heard. I also highlight the power of changing one's thoughts to influence how one feels, as well as the importance of processing the emotions of life experiences. Lastly, I prioritize focusing on the parts of life within one's control rather than those that are not and letting personal values guide one's life choices.
Areas of Interest: Substance Use Disorders, Trauma Recovery, Depression and Anxiety, Identity Development, and Spirituality.
Fun Facts: I have been scuba diving with sharks. I enjoy all kinds of crafting and puzzles. I'm a proud Aggie alum and love college football.
Top 5 Strengths: Woo, Includer, Communication, Responsibility, Belief

Anthony J. Washington, LPC-S

Assistant Director

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His
Treatment Approach: Sometimes, we can lose sight of the resiliency and strength we possess when life weighs us down, and sometimes, it even feels like we’re losing ourselves. My goal is to help people remember their internal strength to continue moving forward. I’m a therapist who takes a Client-Centered and Strengths-Based approach in my sessions with individuals. I have a background in Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and am EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained.
Areas of Interest: Anxiety, Depression, Self-esteem, Stress Management, Motivation
Fun Facts: I have been fortunate enough to travel to multiple countries and see some amazing things! I also love to cook and spend time outdoors!
Top 5 Strengths: Learner, Intellection, Relator, Futuristic, Analytical

Jerimar Abinsay, LPC-S

Counselor

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His
Treatment Approach: My theoretical orientation was developed by integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Solution-Focused Therapy and Trauma-Informed Care. I utilize strength-based and mindfulness techniques to help my clients personalize their treatment as they fulfill their needs.
Areas of Interest: Depression and Anxiety, Trauma-Informed Care, Development and Spirituality, LGBTQIA+ Issues, Grief and Loss.

Fun Facts: I love playing Dungeons and Dragons. I enjoy playing interactive games of various genres with friends and strangers as long as the competitive spirit is in good nature.
Top 5 Strengths: Restorative, Deliberative, Context, Individualization, Learner

Sandra Mendoza Lee, LCSW-S

Counselor

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Treatment Approach: My theoretical orientation is grounded in Client-Centered Therapy with a Strength-Based Perspective. I believe in the power of recovery and resiliency. Everyone is unique, and so is my approach to individual therapy. I draw from Narrative Therapy, Creative Therapies, Solution-Focused Therapy, Relational Psychotherapy, and Psychoeducation when creating treatment plans and providing therapeutic services.
Areas of Interest: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma Recovery, Life Transitions, grief, and loss.
Fun Facts: I enjoy spending time outdoors, gardening, and camping. I listen to all music genres, but my favorite is alternative rock.
Top 5 Strengths: Discipline, Developer, Context, Connectedness, Empathy

Emilie Mendala-Mathew, LPC

Counselor

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Treatment Approach: My therapeutic approach is grounded in a holistic, integrative framework that blends Person-Centered, Existential, and Insight-Oriented foundations with Mindfulness-Informed, Trauma-Informed, Narrative, and Polyvagal perspectives. While these methods reflect my primary approach, I remain flexible and collaborative, incorporating other evidence-based and evidence-informed modalities as needed to best fit each student’s goals and unique experiences. I strive to create a supportive space where students feel respected, empowered, and deeply heard. Within this relationship, I help students explore meaning, identity, and self-understanding while also cultivating resilience, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and self-compassion.
Areas of Interest: Navigating Transitional Stages of Life, Resiliency & Grit, Generational Healing, Compassion Fatigue, Mind-body Connection & Nervous System Regulation, Stress Reduction, Alternative Wellness Practices to Support Holistic Well-Being
Fun Facts: I feel most at peace when I’m near the ocean. I intentionally spend time in solitude to recharge and nurture my well-being, and I also love creating spaces that promote healing and peace for myself and others. I am a lifelong explorer and learner, curious about life, growth, and new experiences.
Top 5 Strengths: Relator, Intellection, Discipline, Learner, Input

Karla Martinez, M.S. LPC-Associate*

Clinical Case Manager

*Supervised by Julieta Rubio Hobbs PhD, LPC-S

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Treatment Approach: I utilize a Person-Center approach and Trauma-Informed care to create a safe and supportive environment for clients to grow and heal. I also have a certification in Bilingual counseling with an emphasis in Spanish. I believe in equal access to mental health services for diverse communities and reducing language barriers. My goal is to help empower clients by creating a compassionate space for them to explore difficult aspects of their life and create the change they desire
Areas of Interest: Latinx community, Domestic Violence, Trauma
Fun Facts: I love learning new languages and know how to say a couple of things in Italian and say “Hello my name is Karla” in Korean. I also know how to use a sewing machine and like to alter/fix my clothing sometimes.
Top 5 Strengths: Empathy, Harmony, Relator, Discipline, Connectedness

Veronica Rodriguez

Administrative Coordinator

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Background: I'm a Mexican-American who grew up in rural West Texas — where the wide-open spaces and close-knit community shaped my appreciation for connection, resilience, and authenticity.
Education: B.A. Communications from Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Fun Facts: I love live music and exploring new places. Also, I am learning Arabic and know a few words in Turkish.
Top 5 Strengths: Analytical, Relator, Responsibility, Deliberative, Achiever

Rebekah

Student Employee

Jaguar Class of 2026 🎓

Major: Psychology
Minor: Criminology/Criminal Justice
Extracurriculars: President‘s Leadership Class
Fun Facts: I live in a small town 30 minutes south of San Antonio. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, as well as working out during my free time.
Top 5 Strengths: Consistency, Harmony, Restorative, Includer, Discipline

Brianna Rodriguez

Graduate Trainee

Preferred pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Theoretical Orientation/Treatment Approach: I view therapy as a type of self care tool everyone should take the time to utilize. Whether that be by learning skills to handle everyday stressors or working through deeper issues, there are benefits for everyone. Personally, I like to take an integrated approach to counseling based on evidence based practices. Working collaboratively, my clients are able to find solutions that best meet their needs.
Areas of Interest: Trauma, Grief, Parenting and Postpartum, Military Population
Fun Facts: I've gone skydiving. I like to binge read YA novels. I'm a big Spurs fan!
Top 5 Strengths: Relator, Individualization, Achiever, Learner, Intellection

Cecilia Nguyen

Graduate Trainee

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Theoretical Orientation/Treatment Approach: I work from a Collaborative Stance with the client utilizing Narrative and Solution-Focused Therapy. I believe that when we are in overwhelming states of numbness, hope may feel dormant — but to be dormant is to await full bloom. Change—whether sudden, gradual, or all-encompassing—is the only constant. People are not a product of their environment and oftentimes come into therapy already strapped with the capabilities to grow from the situations they are in. My role as a therapist is to honor these capabilities by listening, affirming, and reflecting back to clients that the blank page before them is yet unwritten.
Areas of Interest: Anxiety and Depression, LGBTQ+ issues, relationship issues, family process, first-generation identity
Fun Facts: I enjoy catching the sun on the horizon, and am fascinated by mountains and the vast view they offer, reminding me that the world is much bigger than I am.
Top 5 Strengths: Developer, Futuristic, Achiever, Arranger, Empathy

Rebekah Huron

Graduate Trainee

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Theoretical Orientation/Treatment Approach: I approach conversations with clients knowing that they are the experts of their experiences. I have a lot to learn from them, including their strengths, resources, and goals. It is my hope to be a fresh pair of eyes and ears to listen to their stories and embark on this therapeutic journey with them.
Areas of Interest: LGBTIA+, anxiety, depression, spirituality
Fun Facts: I love animals! I have been a vegetarian for almost three years and I plan to foster animals in the future.
Top 5 Strengths: Connectedness, Consistency, Relator, Empathy, Developer