KEY PEOPLE
Committed to the Cause
KARINA HERNANDEZ, M.E.d, MS, LPC-Associate
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.
LORAE MARQUEZ, MA, LPC
President Elect
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Mary’s University and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from University of Texas at El Paso. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and am trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye
Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), which are treatments for individuals impacted by trauma and/or other stressful life experiences. I have completed training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a treatment for young children with behavioral problems. I have also received training in Child-Centered Play Therapy, a modality for children ages 2-10
JAZMINE SILVA, MS, LPC, REGISTERED PLAY THERAPIST
Past President
Jazmine is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist. She has both a counseling and a teaching heart. Prior to entering the counseling profession, she was a 3 rd grade dual language teacher at Ascarate Elementary for five years.Her profession in education and post graduate work inspired her at a personal level to pursue the field of counseling. Jazmine graduated with a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from UTEP’s Mental Health Program, CACREP Accredited, in May 2018.Currently, she works at Counseling of El Paso where she serves adults, couples, teens, children and their families. Jazmine has completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing modalities. She is passionate about learning, growing and building better relationships.When working with families, Jazmine uses Theraplay ® informed interventions which is based on attachment principles and the power of play. She is a Theraplay Foundational Theraplay® Practioner and is currently working towards becoming a Certified Theraplay ® Practitioner.Jazmine wholeheartedly believes that the key to joy and satisfaction is heavily based on the quality of our relationships, our lifestyle, and our sense of worthiness.
NATALIA MURILLO, MS, LPC-ASSOCIATE
Corresponding Secretary
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.
ERIKA MONTOYA, MS, LPC-ASSOCIATE
Recording Secretary
Erika is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who works as a child welfare worker. Erika is a child advocate and a woman who cares about healing hearts. Especially those of children. Erika has been working in the field of mental health and social services for fifteen years. Throughout those years in her career, she has been motivated by public service and helping to bring healing to our community. Erika is humbled by all the clients she has worked with that have each touched her life in a special way. Her motto is “see the world through the eyes of a child.”
Erika believes in the magic in providing therapy and public service to the public is in working with heart. Her aspiration now is to begin advocacy efforts and community work to help strengthen the mental health field.
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.
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.