ABOUT GROWTH COUNSELING

Care rooted in respect, collaboration, and real life.

Growth Counseling offers hybrid sessions in El Paso and telehealth throughout Texas, centered on the belief that meaningful change starts with feeling heard.

Brenda Rueda

MS Psych · MEd · LPC-S

Founder & Clinical Director

Member, International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)

View IOCDF profile

Growth Counseling began with a vision: to help people struggling with their mental health find support and feel heard. My daughter encouraged me to turn that dream into a reality. Today, as founder and clinical director, I bring that purpose to the care we provide.

My approach is person-centered and humanistic. Sessions are conversational and focused, with room to explore what you’re experiencing and develop practical tools you can use in everyday life.

I work with teens and adults navigating anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma, and self-esteem concerns. I draw on EMDR, CBT, IFS, and ACT, as well as my training in DBT and ERP, tailoring our work to your needs.

I offer sessions in English and Spanish and welcome LGBTQIA+ clients. I’m committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and affirming space where you can be yourself.

Alongside therapy, I also offer immigration evaluations and clinical supervision.

Local recognition.

Best of El Paso

Meet our LPC Associates.

Different perspectives, a shared commitment to care. Each of our associates is supervised by Brenda Rueda, MS Psych, MEd, LPC-S.

Patricia Roman

LPC Associate

Supervised by Brenda Rueda, LPC-S

Patricia works with adults, with a focus on helping couples navigate relationship challenges, strengthen communication, and build a deeper understanding of one another. She creates space for partners to work through difficulties together and develop practical skills for a stronger connection. She also supports clients with anxiety, depression, and life transitions.

Specialties and approaches

Areas of focus

Adults; couples and relationship challenges; communication and connection; anxiety and depression; life transitions; emotional well-being; personal growth and practical coping skills.

Counseling approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and the Gottman Method.

Ask about working with Patricia

Viridiana Alvarez

LPC Associate

Supervised by Brenda Rueda, LPC-S

Viridiana works with children, teens, and adults, with a focus on anxiety and depression. She also supports clients with ADHD. She helps clients explore what they’re feeling, build self-confidence, and develop practical coping skills for everyday life. Her work also includes emotional regulation, healthy communication, and navigating life transitions.

Specialties and approaches

Areas of focus

Children, teens, and adults; anxiety and depression; stress; emotional regulation; life transitions and adjustment; ADHD; relationship challenges; coping skills and healthy communication; self-confidence, personal strengths, mindfulness, and self-awareness.

Counseling approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and psychoeducation.

Ask about working with Viridiana

Emily Diana Marquez

LPC Associate

Supervised by Brenda Rueda, LPC-S

Emily works with children and teens facing anxiety, school pressures, friendship challenges, and changes at home. She supports emotional regulation and self-confidence, and also works with grief and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Specialties and approaches

Areas of focus

Anxiety and stress in children and teens; self-esteem and confidence; school and academic stress; friendships and peer challenges; family challenges; emotional regulation; life transitions and adjustment; TBI; grief.

Counseling approaches

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), forensic psychology, play therapy, and somatic approaches.

Ask about working with Emily

Steve Torres

LPC Associate

Supervised by Brenda Rueda, LPC-S

Steve supports young adults and emerging adults navigating school, career uncertainty, and life transitions. His work addresses anxiety, workplace stress, self-doubt, and feeling stuck, with a focus on building confidence and independence.

Specialties and approaches

Areas of focus

Young adults and emerging adults; academic and school-related stress; career uncertainty and life direction; anxiety; life transitions; workplace stress; self-doubt and inner criticism; feeling stuck; confidence and independence; day-to-day stress management.

Counseling approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), coaching, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, narrative and relational approaches, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT).

Ask about working with Steve

Community & practice support.

Jayleen Villalobos

Marketing & Administrative Coordinator

Jayleen supports Growth Counseling’s marketing, community outreach, and day-to-day administrative operations. She brings a passion for communication, creativity, and community connection to her work, helping individuals and families connect with mental health resources.

As the point of contact for community partnerships, event collaborations, and professional networking, Jayleen helps build relationships that support the people Growth serves. Whether you’re exploring a partnership or coordinating continuity of care for a client, she’s here to help you connect with the team.

Connect with Jayleen

Meet Patches

Therapy Dog in Training

Patches is Growth Counseling’s therapy dog in training and a much-loved member of our team.

“The goal is not to rush your growth. It is to make room for clarity, purpose, and strength.”

A practice built around fit.

Finding the right therapist is personal. That is why Growth Counseling begins with a complimentary 15-minute consultation, so you can ask questions, share what you need, and decide whether the connection feels right.

Start with a free call →