KEY PEOPLE
Committed to the Cause
NATALIA MURILLO, MS, LPC-Associate
President
Natalia is a licensed professional counselor associate supervised by Lydia Kasmoch. She currently works at Thrive Counseling and Wellness with a caseload consisting of mainly children and adolescents, but also serves adults, couples, and families. Natalia utilizes play therapy for young children and very much believes that children best communicate through play. She enjoys working with children and their families in order to help them live a healthy and happy life. Natalia has dreams of becoming a Registered Play Therapist in the future and is always looking to learn more about play therapy.
ZUL ESTRADA, RPT, LPC-S
President Elect
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Zul Estrada is the Chief Financial Officer and Co-Founder of Associated Behavioral and Trauma Specialties, LLC (ABTS), a trauma treatment counseling group. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in the state of Texas with over 11 years in clinical experience and 11 years of private practice experience. Zul has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology form the University of Texas at Austin and a Graduate degree from University of Phoenix with a concentration in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy. She began her work in the mental health field in 2003 and has extensive experience working in non-profit mental health & community agencies providing a range of services to include case management, rehabilitation services, skills training and advocacy. Zul has over eleven years of experience working with the Child Welfare System and treating children in foster care. Zul specializes in the treatment of child complex traumatization and is EMDR certified therapist and Approved Consultant. She received formal training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent Child Interaction Therapy and Play Therapy. She is also a Registered Play Therapist.
KARINA HERNANDEZ, M.ED.,MS, LPC-ASSOCIATE
Past President
Karina initiated her work with children and families in the field of early childhood education where she got to work with numerous amounts of children with exceptional needs. She is now a Licensed Professional Counselor- Associate and focuses on cultivating resilience in children and youth by integrating nature based practices and creative and expressive arts. Karina recently published a research article that placed focus on school counselors and self compassion. She is trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Trauma Informed Practices, and is currently pursuing certification in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Depression and Anxiety. Karina is devoted in assuring that children and their families learn coping skills and fundamentals as they navigate adversity and difficult moments in their lives.
PATRICIA MONTERREY, LCSW-S
Corresponding Secretary
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Patricia received a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Texas at El Paso and a Master of Social Work from New Mexico State University. Patricia is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a career of over 17 years dedicated to providing mental health to children, adolescents and their families in the El Paso region. Patricia has completed training in Child Centered Play Therapy through the University of North Texas and continues to work towards her goal of becoming a Registered Play Therapist.
LAURA SALAZAR, MS, LPC-ASSOCIATE
Recording Secretary
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I graduated with my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling through The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), which is a C.A.C.R.E.P. accredited University. Ialso hold a Bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology and minor in sociology from
UTEP. I have been able to work with children in a variety of settings including tutoring and in elementary school settings where I was a paraprofessional for kids who were considered ‘at-risk’, and also as an after-school activity leader. The school setting was a wonderful way to connect with kids and their families and I enjoyed giving them morepersonalized help with their schoolwork and other issues they were encountering. I really believe that the support system of an individual and family are so important to our all-around well-being. Working together, with my clients, in a comfortable and
non-judgmental environment is my goal.
NANCY BARRON, LPC
Treasurer
In the past, from 2017 to 2021, I work with children from Latin America and now currently working with children in private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor. I firmly believe play therapy is the best approach to do therapeutic work with children as play can increase communication, increase personal growth and enhances social skills. I want to help advocate and keep alive our local association for the benefit of our whole community.
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JESNY MIRANDA, MSW, LMSW
Chapter Representative
Jesny is a Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) Social Work Fellow for The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Endeavors, El Paso. Possessing a Master’s degree in social work from The University of Texas at El Paso, among other distinctions in the field, Jesny applies and develops clinical skills to provide mental health services. Additionally, she helps the Cohen Clinic by assessing client mental health needs and providing mental health services.
In her spare time, Jesny likes to read and do CrossFit.