Find a therapist, counselor or psychologist in El Paso, TX

"From the beginning of my career 37 years ago to the present I have always taken a client-centered approach, always trying to focus on what is best for the client."

John Funk is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 37 years of doing social work. He has worked with many different groups of people, including folks experiencing homelessness, folks experiencing major mental health issues, active-duty soldiers and veteran soldiers, and folks experiencing anxiety, depression, and PTSD. In more recent years when working as a therapist, he has mostly worked with couples doing couples therapy, and primarily using attachment theory and therapy, in addition to cognitive-behavioral therapies, and a PTSD treatment called gentle reprocessing therapy. John often uses information from attachment therapy authors including John Bowlby, Sue Johnson, Robert Karen, Stan Tatkin, Daniel J. Siegel, Amir Levine, Rachel Heller. Today, he is most interested in doing couples therapy.

John believes the development of attachment therapy over the years has been very significant in helping couples work through their issues successfully. Attachment theory and therapy allow for couples to non-judgmentally look at how the dynamics of their attachment relationships as children with their primary caregiver(s) affect how they are in a relationship as adults with their now new primary attachment figures — each other. As the couples gain a greater understanding of why and how they respond to each other in times of stress, and to stress in general, they allow for much greater empathy in understanding each other's situation, and they allow themselves the opportunity to learn more effective coping strategies, and ultimately to develop their own attachment relationship, unique to them.

"I believe the client(s) are the ultimate experts regarding their situations, and they have many perspectives on how to understand and intervene when they struggle," says John. "What the therapist brings is a few more perspectives with a new understanding that often allows the client(s) to see his/her/their situation in a different light, and the therapist helps as a guide to utilizing new perspectives so as to allow for more successful interventions."

"I am excited to hear your story and help you find the answers you need."

Melissa Fogarty is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 15 years of experience. She started her career with children and adolescents at risk for mental health issues such as personality disorders, mood disorders, trauma and PTSD, abuse, depression, and anxiety. She soon discovered it is important to consider outside influences on behavior and began working with families as a system. This allows clients to share their stories and allows Melissa to put all of the pieces together for a better understanding. A passion for helping others live their best lives drives Melissa to be so dedicated.

Melissa earned her Master’s in Counseling from Amberton University. She uses a systems approach, including family systems, cognitive reprocessing therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and person-centered therapy to help clients. The goal is to find the missing pieces to your puzzle. Families may be invited to help create a supportive environment.

Melissa takes an analytical approach. By seeing things through her clients' eyes, Melissa has an uncanny ability to completely empathize with her clients, meet them where they are without judgment, and create a safe space to work together on finding answers. Reach out today!

Eliza Mendoza is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has 15 years of experience working with adults, couples, and children in multicultural settings. Eliza has military training in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and military life. Recently she has used virtual therapy with couples, adolescents, and individuals needing support with depression, anxiety, work stress, and adjustment issues. 

Eliza completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) at San Diego State University. Her varied background includes the use of client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), couples work with a focus on strengths and solutions, trauma/PTSD therapies, and many major mental health conditions. Eliza seeks to establish a nonjudgemental and supportive relationship with her clients. Feedback on her work has been positive and filled with gratitude.