Maureena benavides, m.a., lpc-s, CCTP

owner/supervisor, on the couch counseling

To learn more about Maureena Benavides, click HERE.

Chelsey Kendall, LPc

We all experience times in our lives where we need a person to talk to who is non-judgemental and supportive. The power of being able to open up to another person can unlock what has always been within and provide a new path filled with growth and hope. 

I have experience helping clients of all ages navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, autism, ADHD, gender, self-esteem, and relationships using various therapeutic modalities including EMDR, cognitive-behavioral therapy, internal family systems therapy, play, and mindfulness. 

I strive to provide a space where people can know that I am unconditionally on their side. Through intentional questions and conversation, I can help you process what it is you are needing and choose specific strategies and interventions that are best for you.

Marilee Melendez, LPC

We each face obstacles differently and I like to treat each experience as so. My approach is to treat every person and their situations as their own and not generalized. I offer genuine, empathetic, and honest counseling sessions. I believe in sharing my own vulnerabilities and experiences to be a compassionate and relatable counselor for you.

Together we can find the tools to cope with trauma, grief, depression, and/or anxiety. I enjoy working with all demographics and I provide Spanish speaking counseling services as well. I work with children, adolescents, and adults.

Si necesita asistencia en español, estoy aceptando nuevos clientes. Llámame o escríbeme al (432) 553-0476.

Michelle Hall, LPC

Hello! My name is Michelle. I am currently a qualified mental health professional working in a hospital setting and a licensed professional counselor. I am also a former school counselor with 6 years of experience in an educational setting. My experience and specialty are with children, adolescents, and athletes ranging from ages 6-18. I utilize a variety of therapy techniques such as play therapy, art therapy, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, talk therapy, mental performance training, and reality therapy to name a few. I work with trauma of various types. I specialize in providing support with anxiety, depression, coping skills, grief, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and mental sports performance. I enjoy working with youth and partnering with parents to help their child succeed! I look forward to working with you! (432) 226-6675.

Madison Thrombold, LPC-A

Hello! My name’s Madison and I graduated with my Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling from Texas A&M - Commerce in 2022. I specialize in working with children, but I am open to working with folks of all ages. I also work with a lot of LGBTQ+ folks and consider that a speciality of mine as well.

When working with children, I operate from a child-centered play therapy lens where the child’s time in counseling is their time to express themselves and communicate in ways that are natural to them such as playing with toys and making art. When working with adults, I love to offer coping skills and see if we can dig deep to the root of where issues may be coming from. I recognize that every therapeutic journey is different, and I am very flexible in my approaches, changing them for every client that I meet. If this sounds appealing to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via text or phone call at my Spruce number (432) 389-0896.

diana mae murray, lmft

I work hard to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for all, regardless of backgrounds, races, identities, and sexualities. I welcome all people who are willing to work for the life they desire. I do not believe that one size fits all in therapy any more than it does in t-shirts. Your personal values and life experiences are unique, and they guide our work.

Taking the first step can be hard. I strive to make counseling approachable through authenticity, transparency, and collaboration. There’s no doubt this work can be challenging, but if you are ready to claim your best life, I’m ready to help. Sometimes I am not able to answer the phone right away, so please leave a voicemail for a callback or text me at (432)614-6008.

desirae Cardona, LPC-A

Learning how to cope with change can sometimes prove to be difficult. You may be struggling to cope with change of school and/or work, going through a different stage in your life, or even struggling to communicate boundaries with others. My approach is to collaborate with the client to develop self-awareness, self-compassion and coping mechanisms to navigate life’s challenges.

I integrate evidence-based techniques with a person-centered approach, adjusting my interventions to meet the specific goals and needs of each client. Supporting and encouraging others in healing and growth is my passion as well as providing a safe space. I am looking forward to new clients every day and supporting them as needed. I enjoy helping children, teens, and adults. As a counselor, I warmly welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds and walks of life while I provide a non-judgmental, culturally sensitive and safe environment where self-discovery, healing, and growth can flourish. Together, we can take this journey towards greater self-awareness, fulfillment, and emotional well-being. Reach out today at 432-284-4534!

Natalie Velazquez, Lpc-a

Self-improvement starts with you, and taking the initiative to seek help is already a big step forward. In our time together, I will cater my approach and techniques to fit your unique goals and cultural preferences. I am passionate about creating a safe space for my clients to grow and am invested in your progress. I offer counseling services to individuals from a variety of different backgrounds and ages, from children, adolescents, adults and senior adults.

I specialize in trauma, grief, relationship and family conflicts, and existential anxiety. I want to help you find meaning and purpose in your life and develop coping skills for managing anger, depression, anxiety, stress, and/or substance use. I also have experience using play and art therapy techniques in sessions with children, adolescents and adults.

If you feel that we would be a good fit, please contact me if you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment. I would love to work with you. Call or text me at (432) 255-1138.

Ari Lujan, Lpc-a

People experience hardships throughout life, and when seeking professional help, taking the first step can be difficult and intimidating. I aim to look at things through a person-centered approach, looking at the wants and needs of each client, and basing interventions on client’s unique experiences. It is my goal to create an environment where people feel safe and validated, with zero judgement. 

As a counselor, I strive to offer honesty, empathy, and support. I work with children, teens, and adults from different backgrounds. It is important to remember that counseling is a collaboration between the client and the counselor, and we will work together to create a tool belt of coping skills that can be used when facing different struggles. You can reach out at (432) 287-9578.

Ser bilingüe me da la oportunidad de comunicarme con personas de habla hispana, y estoy en la disponibilidad para ayudarte. Llámame o escríbeme al (432)287-9578.

Mayra Aguilar, Lpc-a

“There is nothing permanent except change.” -Heraclitus
Is managing stress, anxiety or depression overshadowing important parts of your life? I am Bilingual in English and Spanish and work with individuals to improve mental wellness. I want to be a support in the journey of change by fostering a safe and honest environment.
My approach incorporates perspectives and techniques of Solution-Focused, Cognitive-Behavioral, Adlerian, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). The foundation of my approach is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a focus on emphasizing challenging and changing irrational thoughts and maladaptive behaviors. My focus is to create a safe space for clients to explore their feelings, thoughts, and perspectives. I believe all clients can accomplish personal growth through self-empowerment.
Change begins with a single thought and through learned ways of challenging negative thoughts, the development of new behaviors is possible to improve intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. As intimidating as seeking professional assistance can be, I want to be the first to applaud this courageous step in making a change toward mental well-being. I am here to help you every step of the way.(432) 226-6603.

"No hay nada permanente excepto el cambio." -Heráclito
¿El manejo del estrés, la ansiedad o la depresión está eclipsando partes importantes de su vida? Soy Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) en Texas y estoy supervisada por Maureena Benavides, LPC-S. Soy bilingüe en inglés y español y trabajo con personas para mejorar el bienestar mental. Quiero ser un apoyo en el camino del cambio fomentando un ambiente seguro y honesto.
Mi enfoque incorpora perspectivas y técnicas de sistemas familiares internos (IFS), centrados en soluciones, cognitivo-conductuales, adlerianos y centrados en soluciones. La base de mi enfoque es la terapia cognitivo-conductual (TCC) con un enfoque en enfatizar pensamientos irracionales y comportamientos desadaptativos desafiantes y cambiantes. Mi objetivo es crear un espacio seguro para que los clientes exploren sus sentimientos, pensamientos y perspectivas. Creo que todos los clientes pueden lograr el crecimiento personal a través del autoempoderamiento.
El cambio comienza con un solo pensamiento y a través de formas aprendidas de desafiar los pensamientos negativos, es posible el desarrollo de nuevos comportamientos para mejorar las relaciones intrapersonales e interpersonales. Por más intimidante que pueda ser buscar ayuda profesional, quiero ser el primero en aplaudir este valiente paso para lograr un cambio hacia el bienestar mental. Estoy aquí para ayudarte en cada paso del camino. Llámame o escríbeme al (432) 226-6603

Jadzia “Jade” Espinoza, Lpc-a

Life can be hard at times and seeking professional help is nothing to be ashamed of! I strive to create a safe space for others so that they don’t feel judged and want to talk about their worries. I utilize the eclectic approach so that my sessions are tailored to each individual client!

I work with adults from various backgrounds and specialize in dissociative disorders, personality disorders, trauma, and neurodiversity! I am LGBTQIA+ affirming and a native Spanish speaker. If you feel we would work well together, please don’t hesitate to call or text me at (432) 226-7993.

Yo hablo español y ofrezco servicio en español! Llámame o escríbeme al (432) 226-7993.

Student interns-

On the Couch Counseling is a proud partner with local universities, including the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, allowing graduate school, masters level counseling students to work under the supervision of Maureena Benavides to obtain practical counseling experience. Student interns are a great option for those seeking services and needing more flexible options than our regular team may be able to offer in terms of scheduling or sliding scale rates.

Ask about seeing an intern or sliding scale options when you reach out to us! We are happy to work with you!