Jirzia Blackman, LCSW-S, CEO

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Jirzia Blackman is the founder and CEO of Rhapsody Counseling and Wellness Center. Although she gave birth to her vision in 2018, Rhapsody was her dream for many years. Mrs. Blackman specializes in individual, couples and family therapy. She also loves teaching and mentoring future social workers; being a gatekeeper and giving back to the profession. Jirzia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Supervisor, with over 17 years of experience. She obtained her Masters of Social Work at New York University Silver School of Social Work and Bachelor of Art in Sociology from Brooklyn College. She is dedicated to serving diverse populations using a holistic approaches specifically tailored to her clients needs.

Mrs. Blackman has experience working with children/adolescents, adult men, women, couples, groups, and families; in a wide range of settings. From non-profits; working with children and families who were at-risk of placement providing individual, play, and family therapy; To hospital settings, with adults living with HIV/AIDS, providing them with support, resources and running a Spanish Speaking support group. She worked with Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, providing crises intervention, and short-term therapy.

Mrs. Blackman has also worked with the geriatric population living with dementia and Alzheimer’s supporting them and their families. She has experience with individuals diagnosed with chronic mental illness as well as individuals with depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, aiding in their journeys to mental wellness.

Jirzia is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, (CCTP), EMDR trained (currently pursuing certification), Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 2 trained, and certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, (ART); she uses a range of modalities to meet her clients where they are, while supporting them as an agent of change. Her dedication to her clients, the profession and Rhapsody Counseling, stems from her own journey of beauty from ashes.

Kelsey Barbee, LPC

I work with people struggling with anxiety, depression, self-worth, and relational issues. I feel that it is important to understand and reflect on how past experiences have impacted our belief system, created our narratives, and impact how we show up in the world today. This may look like engaging in shadow work, working with our inner child, rewriting our narratives, or deepening connection with our bodies. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and Polyvagal informed. I am currently working towards a certification as a Sacred Feminine Alchemy Breathwork Facilitator through Sacred Breath Academy (2024).

I believe we all hold an inner compass to navigating our lives and therapy is a tool to help us gain better insight and connection to our compass. As a therapist, my job is to create a safe and compassionate space, encourage self-reflection and self-discovery, and provide tools to increase autonomy and authenticity.

I take a causal approach to therapy, prioritizing comfort and connection. I lean into spirituality and energetics in my personal life and am always open and excited to explore these topics in session. If you’re interested in working together, I’m happy to connect before the first session to answer questions and allow you to feel confident in your decision.

Tyler Fishbein, LMSW

Supervised by Jirzia Blackman, LCSW-S
Tyler is a Licenced Master Social Worker. He graduated with his Masters of Social Work in 2021 from the University of Southern California. His focus is helping clients cope with depression, anxiety, grief, and loss. He has worked with adults struggling with a variety of issues including family dynamics, parenting issues, trauma, transition, losses, and stress management. He works largely from a cognitive behavioral and solutions focused therapy standpoint. His style is warm but direct, creating a comfortable environment of mutual respect.

He recognizes that everyone is at a different comfort level with therapy, and strives to provide a space where clients feel comfortable to be open and share. He strongly believes in the value of having that safe space where thoughts and feelings can be openly shared and validated that may not exist elsewhere. In this space, He will work with you to establish meaningful goals and develop the tools necessary to accomplish those goals and better cope with life’s challenges.

Jennifer Hesser, LPC

Jennifer Hesser is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Louisiana and Texas and a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Louisiana as well as a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor with over 17 years of experience. Ms. Hesser specializes in individual, couples and family therapy. She obtained her Masters of Arts in Counseling & Guidance at Louisiana Tech University.

Ms. Hesser has experience working with children/adolescents, adults, couples, groups, and families; in a wide range of settings. From non-profits; working with children, adults and families who were at-risk of out of home placement providing individual and family therapy and to hospital settings.

Marco Mar, LPC

Marco graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2014 with Master’s degree in Counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has worked in a variety of settings which include, an emergency shelter for survivors of family and intimate partner violence, in a collaborative-primary care model serving families with children and adolescents experiencing behavioral and academic concerns, such as Oppositional Defiance Disorder and ADHD, and has also worked with young adults in a college setting where he treated a variety of mental health concerns such as major life adjustments, academic problems, anger management, anxiety, depression, and performed crisis interventions.

Most recently, Marco worked in a community counseling center focused on treating adults who have experienced trauma and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress associated with traumatic memories, by facilitating the access and processing of traumatic events and other adverse life experiences.

Marco has completed training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1 and Level 2. His work with couples includes educating couples about behaviors that erode positive feelings within the relationship, helping couples work on their communication by focusing on expressing emotions and needs, assisting couples with conflict resolution, and helping them implementing behavioral strategies that focus on increasing trust and commitment. Marco uses a variety of Gottman Method interventions to renew the friendship element in their relationship, process past hurts and betrayals, and help couples build their shared meaning together.

Marco is also a graduate of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) Behavioral Therapy Training Institute’s (BTTI) intensive training course in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy for treating individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related disorders.

Marco uses a variety of counseling techniques, such as Motivational Interviewing to help clients gain insights into their presenting concerns and initiate positive behavior change, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to reconstruct maladaptive thoughts and behavioral patterns. He is passionate in working with clients experiencing thoughts of suicide where he explores client’s history of suicide thoughts and works towards establishing a treatment plan that includes safety and an engaged social support system. Marco is a registered trainer in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training and has educated over 50 individuals on how to recognize the signs that someone in experiencing thoughts of suicide and how to adequately support them in turning to safety, and finding ongoing treatment and support.

Marco believes in walking alongside his clients throughout their counseling journey by establishing trust and providing a safe-space to foster vulnerability. He aims to help clients identify viable solutions, establish healthy coping techniques, gain new insights, and find relief from their presenting concerns. Marco is bilingual and provides counseling services in Spanish.

Melisa D. Martinez, LCSW

Melisa D. Martinez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her professional life embraces service to individuals and families dealing with all ranges of mental health issues by providing education, therapy, and healthy coping skills. She received her master’s degree in Social Work at West Texas A&M University with an emphasis on clinical social work. She provides therapy and assessment services for children, young adults, individuals, and families using an integrated approach tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Melisa employs a multidimensional approach in therapy to evaluate each person within their environment, provide support, and give practical feedback. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer highly personalized methods tailored to each client. Through compassion and understanding, she works closely with everyone to help them build on their strengths, attain personal growth, and accomplish their goals towards a healthier future.

During every session, she will always do her best to understand your reasons for seeking therapy. She will always ask questions, listen attentively, and follow up to make sure she completely understands the full details of any issues being discussed. This approach allows her to come up with treatment goals that can be worked towards together in later sessions. It is also important to her that she receive feedback on treatment in order to continually improve and adapt to each client. Honesty is key to a successful treatment plan.

Melisa believes in caring for the body, mind, and soul by incorporating her adventurous spirit in creative ways towards healing. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her beloved golden retrievers. She loves the outdoors, camping, hiking, riding bikes, paddle boarding, traveling, gardening, and reading.

“Part of the healing process is sharing with other people who care.”― Jerry Cantrell

Lorena Mendoza-Gibson, LPC-S 

Lorena believes that every individual can heal, gain inner peace and overcome challenges. She values her relationships with each patient and is passionate about seeing them succeed. Lorena specializes in children, adolescents, and adults and their families utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy. She offers family therapy and LGBTQ+ care and assists with adoption and foster care issues. Lorena can complete bariatric surgery evaluations and gender confirmation surgery evaluations. She is fluent in Spanish.

Education & Certifications

Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling (M.Ed.) University of Texas at El Paso Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (B.A.) University of Texas at El Paso Associate of Applied Science in Legal Assistant El Paso Community College

Conditions Treated

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Anxiety / Panic Disorders
• Phobias
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Technique
• Depressive Disorders
• Adjustment Disorder (major life change, grief, divorce)
• Bipolar Disorders
• Issues with Parent / Child
• Family Therapy
• LGBTQI+ Related Needs
• Gender Confirmation Surgery Evaluations
• Interpersonal Violence
• Developmental Trauma/Complex PTSD
• PTSD / Trauma and Stress Related Disorders

Perla Marroquin, LMSW

Perla is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She graduated with her Masters in Social Work in 2020 from Texas State University. Perla has experience working with both youths and adults and specializes in individual therapy. She has over three years of experience working in the field of mental health and makes it her priority to place client’s needs first in her work.

Perla utilizes a strength based and person-in-environment approach to help clients meet their personalized needs and goals. She focuses on Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy to assist clients in understanding several aspects of themselves and identify areas of growth. Perla recognizes many of the difficulties in seeking assistance and it is her goal to support and empower clients in their journey.

Manuel Lozano, LPC

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 20 years of experience. I completed my undergraduate work at St. Edward’s University and completed my graduate work at Baylor University. After graduation I have had to opportunity to work with children and their families, individuals, and couples with different agencies. I have also been a treatment director for a substance abuse residential facility. I have had to opportunity to also work with insurance agencies, CPS, the Juvenile Justice System, and TDCJ.

I prefer to implement a trust-based approach and work towards implementing Cognitive Behavioral Strategies, as well as Sanctuary Trauma Strategies to achieve therapeutic goals. I believe in working with my clients in a safe and comfortable environment, and work towards helping them implement strategies that will help them be safe and successful.

Syrita Simmons, LCSW

Syrita is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She graduated with her Masters of Social Work from University of Texas at San Antonio in December of 2015. Syrita brings a diverse knowledge base from working in mental health, medical social work, and incarcerated populations. She brings experience working with adults, adolescents, and groups. She has worked with individuals battling depression, anxiety, grief, and major life adjustments.

Syrita is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, allowing for a person-centered approach throughout the therapeutic process. She also incorporates the whole person, in order to help clients identify how their past experiences shape their thought process and behavioral patterns.

Dr. Ruben Rosaio, Psy.D

Is a licensed clinical psychologist in the State of Texas with vast experience working with children, adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, panic symptoms, depression, trauma, relationship conflicts, chronic illness, autism, grief and loss, and life transitions. He has practiced as a Clinical Therapist for over 10 years. His experiences come from many different clinical settings such as: nursing homes, chemical dependency programs, community mental health agencies, school setting, and medical offices. Dr. Rosario provides psychological services to English and Spanish speaking patients. He uses Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy to assist in deepening the understanding of yourself and how your mind works.

Jackelyn Silber, LPC

Jackie is a Licensed Professional Counselor. who graduated with her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Texas A&M San Antonio in 2018. She provides a warm and welcoming environment in order for you to feel safe, open and vulnerable throughout the counseling process.

She will work alongside you to navigate the presenting issues together and find solutions that are authentic to you. Jackie employs a person-centered and solution-focused approach that focuses on building upon your strengths and recognizing the challenges along the way as speed bumps in your journey.

Kristel Zoller, LPC-S

Kristel Zoller, MA, LPC-S is a trained, certified & experienced trauma therapist with over 10-years experience guiding clients through trauma recovery. I will provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to release, process and learn to work through trauma, grief, depression and anxiety. My mission is to help you find your sense of self, your confidence and your power. I work with men & women with a history of childhood abuse, domestic violence, sexual trauma and combat or first responder trauma.

I provide structured therapeutic interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Dialectical Behavior Therapy for the treatment of depression & anxiety, as well as the general navigation of thoughts, feelings and behaviors. I am also certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy & Prolonged Exposure Therapy for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress.

We will develop a personalized plan of care based on your unique life experiences. There is healing in sharing your pain with others who will listen to understand.

Yesenia Guerra, LPC

As a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2009, Yesenia has worked extensively with individuals challenged by trauma, homelessness, grief, anxiety, codependency, and self-esteem issues. In addition, while she was working with the homeless population, she organized and facilitated process-oriented and psych-educational groups, and created and led yoga-based mindfulness groups for men and women recovering from addiction and/or struggling with anxiety and trauma-based problems. Regarding her educational background, Yesenia earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in sociology, in 2004 (from the University of the Incarnate Word), and her master’s degree in community counseling, in 2008 (from the University of Texas at San Antonio). Yesenia enjoys working with adults, and has a special place in her heart for empowering others to love themselves and to recognize their self-worth. During her free-time, she delights in connecting with nature, spending time with her mother and husband, and loves reading, learning, laughing, listening to music, and engaging in many forms of physical fitness. Yesenia is passionate about her role as a mental health counselor, and strives for excellence in bringing out the best in others. She currently provides virtual counseling (available evenings), and typically utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities and techniques (such as psycho-educational, cognitive behavior, solution-focused, holistic, and/or client- centered therapies) to meet each person’s unique needs and/or preferences. She looks forward to meeting you, and supporting you through your self- discovery, healing, growth, and/or self-improvement journey.

Kendalle Wexler, LMFT

Kendalle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 5 years of counseling experience working with couples, families, and individuals navigating anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, disordered eating, relational conflict, and more. She is currently working towards her doctorate in Counseling Psychology (PsyD) at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Kendalle is passionate about working with clients struggling with their identity, particularly in regard to their ethnicity (multicultural) and or to their self-image. One’s self image is shaped at both a personal level (impacted by their individual beliefs), as well as in relation to others (family, romantic relationships, work, etc.). It is her sincere hope to assist her clients in tapping deeper into their inner strengths and feeling empowered to live the truest version of themselves. Her therapeutic approach is based off of Narrative Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy models, which both consider how the client’s entire system is affecting their presenting concern. Furthermore, she values the importance of the whole person- their experiences, relationships, and all factors impacting their lives. She works collaboratively with her clients to identify problematic patterns and identify possible solutions.

R. Leah Carter, LCSW

Robin Leah Carter is an LCSW with experience working with diverse populations that are dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and other issues. Ms. Carter is trauma trained and specializes in issues with the foster care system as well as supporting foster/adoptive and biological parents.

She also has experience working with adults in crisis. Working in many different community settings from psychiatric hospitals, families dealing with CPS, incarcerated, and people dealing with medical issues and trauma. She is able to provide faith-based counseling upon request.

Lorena Mendoza-Gibson, LPC-S

Lorena believes that every individual can heal, gain inner peace and overcome challenges. She values her relationships with each patient and is passionate about seeing them succeed. Lorena specializes in children, adolescents, and adults and their families utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy. She offers family therapy and LGBTQ+ care and assists with adoption and foster care issues. Lorena can complete bariatric surgery evaluations and gender confirmation surgery evaluations. She is fluent in Spanish.

Education & Certifications

Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling (M.Ed.) University of Texas at El Paso Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (B.A.) University of Texas at El Paso Associate of Applied Science in Legal Assistant El Paso Community College
Conditions Treated
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Anxiety / Panic Disorders
Phobias
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Technique
Depressive Disorders
Adjustment Disorder (major life change, grief, divorce)
Bipolar Disorders
Issues with Parent / Child
Family Therapy
LGBTQI+ Related Needs
Gender Confirmation Surgery Evaluations
Interpersonal Violence
Developmental Trauma/Complex PTSD
PTSD / Trauma and Stress Related Disorders

Jessica Gomez-Pool , LPC

Great to meet you!  I am a counselor who has worked with several populations: from children to seniors, however I have found my passion lays in helping preteens and teens. I have helped my clients learn to cope with anxiety, gain self-esteem, manage depressive symptoms, learn new parenting skills, and navigate phase of life issues. I understand you are the expert in your life but sometimes an outside perspective is needed to move forward.

A bit about my approach to therapy.

I enjoy helping clients navigate the issues they are struggling with in their daily lives by using several different therapeutic techniques such as brief solution focused, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, EMDR and reality therapy. I believe, in therapy there is not a one fits all approach. I like to tailor my approach to what would work best for my client.

What you can expect from our first session

As your counselor I will provide a non-judgmental, encouraging, (sometimes) humorous and empathetic space for you to grow. I recognize everyone is different and will respond differently to different therapy approaches.

SPECIALIZES IN: ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Family Issues, PTSD, Relationship Issues, Life Transitions, Parenting, and Trauma