Marisa Esparza

My name Is Marisa Esparza. I am a licensed LPC in Texas. I completed my Masters of Education in Mental Health Counseling from University of Texas at El Paso in December 2015 and have a Bachelors in Education from the University of Texas at El Paso in May 2011. I have worked in several settings that I feel allow me the advantage to recognize the barriers and conflicts with receiving mental health treatment.

My most recent position at El Paso Behavioral Health systems includes: Program manager children and adolescents inpatient unit, Program manager adult and military outpatient group, Program manager adolescent outpatient group. In this position I was able to Work collaboratively with patients, medical staff, and families to help stabilize high risk children and adults. I Provided psychological assessments and risk assessments to determine needs and communicate with medical staff. I facilitated daily groups as well as family sessions. I worked collaboratively with treatment teams and attended to emergency crisis on unit. I was able to build rapport with adult and children and provide verbal deescalation when in crisis. I assisted with medical staff and treatment team to determine safety in community.

Previously I worked s a qualified mental health professional on the Assertive Community Treatment Team I provided individual psychiatric rehabilitative skills training and crisis assessment/management in consumers’s homes and in the community. I provided ongoing assessment, preliminary diagnosis of present Axis 1 psychiatric and co-occurring disorders. My job required coordinating of community resources to assist in assessing medical, social, educational, financial, and other appropriate services that help in achieving an improved quality of life, increase tenure in the community, and decrease the need for unnecessary inpatient hospitalization.

Throughout my internship at El Paso Behavioral Health,I developed the necessary skills in order to work effectively with children, adolescents, adults, military, and seniors. Through my course work I was able to gain an understanding of mental health, chemical dependency, crisis counseling, as well as other areas of counseling. I was able to effectively apply counseling for clients experiencing psychological, social, behavioral, and emotional issues. As an intern I worked primarily in the Children and Adolescent Unit, I counseled with emphasis on Reality Therapy. I worked with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. I ran group therapy sessions, completed assessments, took risk assessments, shadowed treatments teams, and attended family sessions.

As a Mental Health Technician in the Children and Adolescent Unit, I helped admit and discharge patients. I maintained close contact with them, and monitored vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure. I observed patient behaviors, recorded their conditions and lead them in therapeutic and recreational activities. I regularly consulted with RN’s, LVN’s, social workers, Dr.’s, and therapists.

I am confident in my skills and abilities and am willing to work with all populations. I have a deep passion for working with adolescents, young adults, and their families. It has been in my experience that there is a disconnect in communication and world views. I am a LGBTQIA advocate and passionate about empowering youth exploring their identity as well as educating families. I have been able to explore several populations within inpatient hospitals, out patient settings, and the community. This advantage has allowed me to grow as a clinician and empathize with all my patient populations better.