About Us
The Counseling Center is a place that provides free and confidential counseling services to address mental health concerns and to promote personal growth for currently enrolled UTRGV students.
Counseling is a process that enables a person to grow in a way that s/he chooses. Students may want to change their behavior, thoughts, or lifestyle to increase self-awareness or to remedy a problem. The counselor’s responsibility is to assist the student as s/he works toward achieving those goals for personal growth and development.
Does counseling work?
Research has shown that, in most cases, counseling helps people feel better and resolve problems such as depression, anxiety, sleep difficulty, and other emotional or behavioral difficulties. For college students, counseling helps with emotional adjustment and is associated with improving academic performance. With more serious conditions, it may work best in combination with medication treatment or other forms of help.
How does it work?
Counselors help by listening and discussing issues without judgment. They also encourage problem-solving, educate about and connect students to other resources, and assist students in developing healthier coping skills.
Who provides counseling services?
Counseling services are provided by either licensed mental health professionals or graduate-level interns under the supervision of a licensed counselor.
What counseling services are available for students?
Click here to learn more about our services.
Staff Directory
| Name | Title | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Albert, Ph.D. | Director | christopher.albert@utrgv.edu | Edinburg/Brownsville |
| Janie Arguelles | Administrative Assistant II | janie.arguelles@utrgv.edu | Edinburg |
| Rosie Camero | Administrative Assistant I | rosalba.camero@utrgv.edu | Brownsville |
| Addie Wieland, LCSW, CCTP | Supervising Clinical Therapist | adelia.wieland@utrgv.edu | Edinburg |
| Andrew Perez, Ph.D., LPC-S | Supervising Clinical Therapist | andrew.perez02@utrgv.edu | Edinburg |
| Leah Ellis, M.Ed., LPC-S | Supervising Clinical Therapist | leah.ellis@utrgv.edu | Brownsville |
| Elvia (Denise) Avitia, LPC | Clinical Therapist | elvia.avitia01@utrgv.edu | Edinburg |
| Maria Alejandra Mazariegos, M.Ed., LPC | Clinical Therapist | maria.mazariegos@utrgv.edu | Brownsville |
| Martha Sanchez, M.Ed., LPC, CCTP, LCDC-I | Clinical Therapist | martha.sanchez01@utrgv.edu | Brownsville |
| Annette C. Allison, DSW, LCSW | Clinical Therapist | annette.allison@utrgv.edu | Edinburg |
Collegiate Recovery Program
| Name | Title | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raymond Salas | Program Coordinator | raymond.salas@utrgv.edu | Edinburg |
Cross-Divisional Collaboration
| Name | Title | Department | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valerie Rivera, LCSW, CCTP | Social Worker | valerie.rivera@utrgv.edu | School of Medicine | Edinburg |