Bluebonnet Counseling Center is named after the street where Dr. Erica Ann Perez, founder of Bluebonnet Counseling Center, grew up in Pharr, Texas. We were inspired by the bluebonnet flower to represent our practice because of its rich Texas history. Our counselors are originally from our area, giving us the advantage of knowing personally many of the obstacles our clients face. We believe, that like our wild flower, our clients will flourish and grow. Additionally, Indigenous Texas tribes believed that the bluebonnet was magical and there are many folktales discussing the miracles that happened because of the bluebonnet flower. The legends speak of the love, beauty, and resources that were brought by the bluebonnet. Although we don’t claim to do miracles at Bluebonnet Counseling, we do believe that we will find your strength and that we can guide you to a healthier, happier living.
Recent events have taught us that life is too short to be unhappy. That’s why Bluebonnet Counseling Center is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of mental health conditions across the Rio Grande Valley.
Recent events have taught us that life is too short to be unhappy. That’s why Bluebonnet Counseling Center is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of mental health conditions across the Rio Grande Valley.
Dr. Erica Ann Perez is a Licensed Psychologist who has been practicing psychology since 2012. Dr. Perez attended schools in the Pharr San Juan Alamo Independent School District and graduated from South Texas High School for Health Professions (Med High.) She earned her bachelors degree from the University of Texas at Austin and master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas- Pan American. She completed her formal education from Texas A&M University by earning a fellowship to study the bilingual/bicultural child. Dr. Perez’s background as a former elementary school teacher and college admission counselor, allows her to serve as a advocate for parents as they navigate special education in schools as well as children struggling in school. She has served all populations in her community by working with our area’s most underserved population at our local community health clinic and children involved in the juvenile justice system. Dr. Perez is a well-respected voice on mental health, often invited to speak at seminars, panels, and conferences to offer her insight on her area of expertise. She has served children and families for over 20 years and remains dedicated to helping patients across the Rio Grande Valley confront and recover from their mental health struggles.
Ezmir Zepeda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in children, adolescents and adults. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Texas Pan-American in Psychology in 2005. She has a Masters Degree from the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work earned in 2009.
Her postgraduate training includes participation in training seminars specific to cognitive behavioral treatments of depression and anxiety disorders. She has received extensive training for depression and anxiety by the Beck Institute of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, an organization that was founded by Dr. Aaron T. Beck who is widely regarded as the father of cognitive therapy.
In 2021, she was trained by Dr. Eli Leibowitz, Director of the Program for Anxiety Disorders at Yale School of Medicine Child Study Center, in the implementation of the SPACE program, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. Most recently, in 2022, she was trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy, an evidence-based approach to treat PTSD by Dr. Kathleen Chard, co-developer of CPT and Director of the Trauma Recovery Center at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.
She specializes in Depression, Anxiety Disorders (Separation Anxiety, Phobias, Social Anxiety, Panic, Agoraphobia, & Generalized Anxiety), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. She treats these populations almost exclusively.
She offers the following empirically supported treatments: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the treatment of anxiety and depression.
Cognitive Processing Therapy for the treatment of PTSD
Exposure and Response Prevention for the treatment of OCD
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions, an entirely parent-based treatment proven to reduce childhood anxiety. Target diagnoses primarily include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
She is currently accepting private pay clients only. Rates are as followed: Initial Diagnostic Evaluation: $150 (60 minutes/one time) 50 minute session: $125
Clients are seen through telehealth only.
Languages: English/Spanish
Nicole Garza is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over five years of experience in behavioral and emotional health. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both Psychology and Biology from The University of Texas Pan-American and then served various populations in a community mental health clinic. She graduated from Texas A&M International University in 2017 with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a thesis concentration. Her research included the impact social media has on one’s emotional affect, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Upon graduation, she focused on helping individuals in an acute mental health setting overcome diverse issues, including suicide, self-injurious behaviors, depression, anxiety, anger, interpersonal conflict, family and relationship issues, and substance use.
While Nicole practices a combination of person-centered therapy, talk therapy, and reality therapy, she has a special emphasis and training in dialectical behavior therapy. Dialectical behavior therapy’s primary goals are to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others. She believes that all people are accepted as they are and are doing the best they can. Even so, she believes we can each do better for ourselves and is dedicated to teaching others how to do so through dialectical behavior therapy skills. She is committed to helping the community improve themselves, their environment, and their relationships to achieve happiness and fulfillment.
Oscar J. Tagle, Jr. is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and a National Certified School Counselor. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from The University of Texas Pan-American and a Master of Education in School Counseling from Lamar University. He is employed in both educational and clinical settings.
Oscar uses a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He assists people with the following concerns: addiction, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, grief, and trauma. He is passionate about helping people increase their mental well-being.
Justina Garcia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Minor in Psychology from Texas A&M University at Kingsville and earned a Master’s Degree of Education in Counseling and Guidance from The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Justina’s background as a former Speech Language Pathologist Assistant allows her to advocate for clients of all ages. Her experience includes working with children, adolescents, and adults in multiple capacities within the mental health field, including substance use, grief and loss, and acute mental health settings.
Justina utilizes an array of theoretical approaches, including person-centered therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. Justina is committed to providing quality care, empathetic understanding, and support to empower clients to be their most authentic self. Clients will benefit from a safe environment where they are able to focus on their strengths and feel fully accepted. She assists individuals in addressing concerns such as self-injurious behaviors, trauma, depression, anxiety, anger, interpersonal conflict, family and relationship issues, substance use, grief, and loss. She specializes in addiction counseling and trauma.
Justina is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), which is an evidence-based therapeutic technique to treat trauma and many other stress-related conditions using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, and/or bilateral audio). EMDR allows individuals to develop adaptive skills that resolve symptoms and problems they are experiencing by allowing the brain to access incomplete or maladaptive stored memories and process these targeted memories to adaptive resolution characterized by clearing the emotional charge and sensory elements.
Languages: English/Spanish
Paola Salinas is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified School Counselor that brings a wealth of experience from both educational and clinical environments. She holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialization in Bilingual Education and a Master of Education in Counseling and Guidance from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Paola uses a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to aid clients facing challenges such as trauma, anxiety, attention-deficit/
Aissa is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 10 years of experience in working with individuals who experience mental health and substance abuse issues. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Mary’s University in 2006, and obtained her Master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of Texas San Antonio in 2010.
Jessica Guerrero is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified School Counselor with experience in both educational and clinical settings. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University in San Marcos and holds a Master of Education in School Counseling from Lamar University. Jessica specializes in applying a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach to assist clients dealing with various challenges, such as trauma, anxiety, issues related to divorce or separated families, attention-deficit/
Currently, in training to become a Registered Play Therapist, Jessica is dedicated to enhancing her skills to better assist younger clients in expressing themselves through activities, play, and artistic expression. Her goal is to offer comprehensive support tailored to the unique needs of her clients. Jessica firmly believes that her clients can overcome any issues impacting their daily lives with the right tools and skills.
Copyright © 2020- All Rights Reserved
