NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS AT OUR NEW BRAUNFELS SATELLITE OFFICE!
Supervised by Kelly Martin, LPC-S
Professional Licenses:
- Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
- Licensed Professional Counselor, 2022
- Specializes in work with children in foster care, individuals and families from low income backgrounds, adults with trauma history
NOT Currently Accepting Clients:
- Adult Male & Females
(Age 18 and Up)
- Adolescents (Age 13 to 18)
- Children (Age 6 to 13)
- Individual Counseling Sessions
- Family and Couples Therapy
Professional Licenses:
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Licensed Professional Counselor, 2022
- Specializes in work with adolescents and adults in all stages of life including families
NOW Accepting Clients:
- Adult Male & Females
(Age 18 and Up)
- Adolescents (Age 13 to 18)
- Individual Counseling Sessions
- Family Therapy
- NOW ACCEPTING MAJOR INSURANCES
Adriana Cervantes Henley is a Licensed Professional Counselor who loves to help others look at things from a different perspective. Adriana graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Development. She went on to graduate with her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2019 from the University of Texas at San Antonio. During her graduate work, Adriana had the opportunity of working with individuals of all ages, from adolescent children, to teen mothers in the foster care system, to adults in various stages - helping them all through the challenges of everyday life.
Adriana strives to meet the client where they are, while providing a direct but supportive approach. And when appropriate, she helps find the space for a little bit of laughter. Adriana believes that with a warm, welcoming, and safe space to be who you are, therapy can be a truly transformative process. Growth and change can be hard, but collaboratively, Adriana will help you reach your goals.
When not counseling, Adriana enjoys spending time with her husband and two pups, Tucker and Jackson.
About Emma Phearse, MS, LPC
About Tami Bays, MS, LPC
About Candace Olivarez Pirog, MS, LPC-Associate
Supervised by Kelly Martin, LPC-S
Kelly Martin, LPC-S began her work with children and adolescents. She is passionate about collaboratively working with clients using Cognitive Behavior therapy in order to affect client's negative self-talk. Kelly has shifted her practice to now focus on late adolescents and adults who are interested in exploring and evaluating their current circumstances to seek a healthier, happier way of living.
Kelly specializes in trauma focused treatment for anyone who has experienced a traumatic event in their life big or small. Trauma focused cognitive behavior therapy focuses on addressing trauma in a step wise approach to process and find new ways of coping. She also specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy which involves identifying and changing negative thought patterns to improve mood, anxiety and other symptoms.
In addition to providing counseling services, Kelly also supervises Counselor Associates and master's level students who are working towards their professional counselor license.
About Samantha Weissgarber, MS, NCC, LPC-Associate
Professional Licenses:
- Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Angelo State University
- Licensed Professional Counselor since 2006
- EMDR Trained Therapist, 2021
Services Offered by Tami Bays:
- Adults (Age 18 and Up)
- Individual Counseling Sessions
- NOW OFFERING EMDR THEARPY
Professional Experience:
- Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2022
- National Board Certified Counselor, 2022
- Level I Gottman Trained, 2022
- Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, 2022 under the supervision of Kelly Martin, LPC-Supervisor
- Specializes in working with adolescents, Adults, grief, anxiety, depression, and other behavioral, chronic mental health issues.
- NOW SCHEDULING COUPLES
NOW Accepting NEW Clients:
- Adolescents (Age 16 to 18)
- Adults (Age 18 and Up)
- Individual AND Couples Counseling Sessions
Sara Ann is inspired in helping adolescents and adults cope with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, grief/loss, trauma and behavioral issues. She is motivated to create a safe and secure setting for individuals to communicate, discover, and manage their thoughts and feelings in a healthy and constructive manner. Primarily utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, she empathically strives to deliver clients valuable therapeutic services in order to address their individual needs toward a more joyful and tranquil life. In addition to working with individuals, she has a passion in working with couples to effectively communicate to resolve conflict. By implementing the Gottman Method Couple Therapy, she aids couples in building and increasing a bond to create better understanding and empathy in the relationship.
Sara Ann is a Texas native, has been married for 8 years, and has two fur babies. She has worked in the healthcare field as a VP/Administrator for over 15 years, with a focus in primary care. Her experience in the medical field, along with her own life experiences, led her toward a strong desire to help others in various aspects of life to achieve a greater sense of well-being. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, canvas painting, and traveling. Her favorite destinations are New York and Las Vegas. She finds solace in reading motivational and inspirational books and romance novels. Taking time for self-care is an aspect that she values and believes that everyone deserves self-compassion to attain emotional resilience.
Sara Ann is a Licensed Professional Counselor- Associate, providing services under the supervision of Kelly Martin, LPC-S. She is recognized as a National Certified Counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. She achieved her Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Capella University. She attended the University of The Incarnate Word, where she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. She also received an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Palo Alto College.
Supervised by Kelly Martin, LPC-S
Munira Tajkhanji has almost twenty years of experience working as a volunteer in her home country of India where she did her undergraduate studies in Psychology and Multiculturalism at
St Xavier’s College Mumbai, India. Munira worked with physically challenged and learning-disabled children from impoverished regions in India as an undergraduate student.
Upon moving to the US in the 1990s, Munira resumed her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio in Psychology with a minor in Children’s Studies. She graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2004.
Munira completed her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health in 2016 as well as successful practicums and internships at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center and Park Village Elementary school both in San Antonio Texas. She has experience with family, couples as well as child and adolescent counseling. Munira uses multicultural, play therapy and creative counseling techniques as well as strength based / positive approach.
She has always been active in education, outreach and volunteer work with San Antonio agencies such as Red Cross, Haven for Hope and local religious institutions. She, along with her physician husband, advocate for health and wellness as part of his medical practice.
Munira is fond of participating in events to educate about her culture and has partnered with UTSA, many local schools and the City of San Antonio as a volunteer. She also enjoys film, world music and international cuisine in her spare time. Munira is fluent in Hindi, Urdu and Gujarati and has some exposure to French and Arabic language as well.
Candace Olivarez Pirog is a Licensed Professional Counselor - Associate who enjoys assisting others improve their emotional development and achieve their goals in order to reach a happier and healthier life.
Candace graduated from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2016, and later earned her Masters in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family therapy in 2019. Candace previously worked in the inner San Antonio area with at-risk youth and adolescents, as well as their family members to improve their personal awareness and perspective on life’s struggles. As a practitioner, Candace strives to create a safe, empathetic, and validating environment while working in a collaborative role with her clients. She aims to connect clients with the necessary tools to overcome many of life’s obstacles. Candace utilizes a blend of different strategies in session, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution Focused, and Person-Centered methods to help her clients manage personal difficulties from a range of approaches.
Candace is a native Texan from the Bay Area who lives with her husband and their two fur babies. In her free time she enjoys going for walks/runs outside, relaxing with her puppies, playing games with family, and spending time with friends.
Carmen Avendano (ah-ven-dan-yo) Ulloa (ooh-yo-uh) is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who strives to provide a safe and nonjudgmental space where clients (youth and adults) feel at ease to share their story, express themselves, and work through their personal goals. She invites you to start or return to your counseling journey and invest in your mental health with her professional support at your side. She utilizes a strength-based solution focused approach to counseling as well as traditional talk therapy, creative interventions, and sand tray therapy.
Carmen is a Costa-Rican American who immigrated at a very young age with her family to the United States and grew up in the San Antonio area. She is a proficient level Spanish speaker, an ability she is constantly developing, to better connect with her family and other people, including clients! She completed her Bachelors degree in Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin in 2013. She later graduated with her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2022 from Texas State University. Part of Carmen’s graduate studies included training in play therapy, a developmentally appropriate counseling approach geared towards children (ages 3 – 9).
Her practicum experience included co-facilitating psychoeducational groups with survivors of domestic violence and working with adults in individual counseling. Her internship at Communities in Schools of San Antonio is where she worked collaboratively with young children (age 5+) and adolescents to address various issues including anger, anxiety, self-exploration, academic issues, self-esteem, grief, trauma, processing and coping through life transitions (e.g., divorce), and relationships within others (e.g., family, friends, peers).
In her free time, she enjoys playing videogames and boardgames with her boyfriend, identical twin sister, and friends. She also spends time with her familia, her dog Chewy, and cat, Meow. She stays active by going to the gym and walking on scenic trails.
About Alicia Branch-McDowell, MEd, LPC-Associate
About Kelly Martin, MA, LPC-S
Tami Bays received her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Angelo State University, in San Angelo, TX in 2005. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor through the state of Texas and started working in the mental health field prior to earning her degree.
Tami has worked with clients of all ages, including children, teens, and adults who struggle with mental health, addiction, and behavior issues. She worked in an in-patient psychiatric and chemical dependency facility for 5 years and has experience facilitating individual, group, and family counseling. She has also worked with individuals with disabilities who desired vocational counseling to remain in or return to the work force.
Tami seeks to provide her clients with a warm and safe environment to explore issues that may be preventing them from living the life they desire. She uses a variety of approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to assist clients in identifying and challenging negative thought and behavior patterns.
Tami is an EMDR trained therapist, is a member of EMDRIA and is currently working towards becoming an EMDR Certified Therapist. If you have experienced trauma and are interested in being evaluated to determine if EMDR is the right therapy for you, please contact our office to schedule an initial session with Tami.
About Carmen Avendano Ulloa, MA, LPC-Associate
Professional Licenses:
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Licensed Professional Counselor, 2019
- Specializes in working with children, adolescents, grief, use of expressive therapies including play and art based interventions
Accepting Clients:
- Children (Age 3 to 13)
- Adolescents (Age 13 to 18)
- Individual Counseling Sessions
Samantha Weissgarber is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who is passionate in holding a safe and nonjudgmental environment for her clients. She views counseling as a collaborative process that allows individuals to grow and learn about themselves and their relationships while working towards personal goals.
She incorporates a variety of therapeutic theories and interventions that she tailors to fit the needs of the client including: Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), creative interventions, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT).
She enjoys working with clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, perfectionism, grief, communicating effectively, coping with life transitions, setting appropriate boundaries in relationships, or have experienced trauma. She has experience in working with clients of all ages, but particularly likes working with adolescents and adults.
Samantha completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at Texas A&M University in 2018 and her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The University of Texas at San Antonio in 2021. During graduate school, she provided free counseling to the public at the Sarabia Family Counseling Center as part of her practicum. Following practicum, Samantha interned as a student counselor at Catholic Charities Counseling Services for a year in which she worked in community mental health to provide therapy to low-income populations. During her time there, she had the wonderful opportunity to facilitate a group for refugees that provided psychoeducation on how to handle stress, anxiety, and self-care during difficult transitions. Samantha also has volunteer experience in facilitating grief groups for children and adolescents through the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas.
In her free time, Samantha enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her rescue pup, Luca. She is happiest when she is listening to music, spending time outdoors, or hunting down the best food in San Antonio.
Alicia Branch-McDowell is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with diverse therapeutic skills which allow her to work with a variety of interpersonal, employment and academic concerns. Alicia assists clients of all ages with various life changes, and has a deep familiarity with couple related issues and military family related issues.
Alicia is a first-generation education student in her family and is no stranger to struggles related to diversity and overcoming socio-economic challenges. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Sul Ross University at Rio Grande Campus. Alicia graduated Cum Laude in 2017 with her Masters of Education in Counseling. Her practicum experience included work with human and sex-trafficking survivors, women and children, victims of domestic violence and families with active Child Protective cases who were eager to participate in behavioral change. More recently, Alicia has completed Gottman Level 1 training to begin working with couples and families more extensively.
Alicia understands that making the choice to participate in therapy can be a major decision. She believes therapy can be a positive, life altering experience for individuals and families. More importantly, Alicia understands that choosing the right therapist to accompany you on your journey is of the upmost importance. She believes with the right therapist, clients can feel empowered, motivated and at peace one they are able to achieve their therapeutic goals.
When not counseling, Alicia enjoys spending time with her family and is a big foodie! Alicia is a basketball fan and enjoys a "good game." She previously lived in Europe and enjoys experiencing new cultures. Alicia enjoys artistic expression and paints regularly as a hobby. You may even experience the use of art as a therapeutic approach in her session!
Alicia is pleased to join KM Counseling and is here to help guide you through your therapeutic journey.
Professional Licenses:
- Licensed Professional Counselor since 2009
- Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor since 2016
Additional Certifications:
- Diplomat for Academy of Cognitive Therapy since 2014
- Certified Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapist since 2014.
About Sara Ann Castañeda-Castillo, LPC-Associate
Supervised by Kelly Martin, LPC-S and Henrietta Dominguez, LPC-S, RPT-S
Alena Krawczynski is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has a passion for counseling people of all ages, though she especially enjoys working with children and adolescents. Alena works to reconnect the client to supports and resources within and outside of the therapeutic relationship, while working with the client through the symptoms that brought that individual or individuals to counseling. Alena also works with people who have experienced trauma, to equip them with coping and management skills they need to thrive.
Alena holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University, and she earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Alena has experience working with children in foster care, individuals and families from low income backgrounds, adults with trauma history, and individuals with an array of symptoms from everyday life stressors.
Alena believes that the power of counseling involves enabling clients to find motivation and healing within themselves. What Alena loves most about counseling is empowering clients to achieve their therapeutic goals, using the therapeutic relationship as a source for psychoeducation and support.
About Munira Tajkhanji, MS, LPC
About Adriana Cervantes Henley, MS, LPC
About Alena Krawczynski, MS, LPC
Supervised by Kelly Martin, LPC-S
210-314-1606
Alena is not currently accepting new clients.
Professional Licenses:
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health
- Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, 2021 under the supervision of Kelly Martin, LPC-Supervisor
- Specializes in working with adolescents, grief, anxiety and depression
NOW Accepting Clients:
- Adolescents (Age 15 to 18)
- Adults (Age 18 and Up)
- Individual and Family Counseling Sessions
- IMMEDIATE OPENINGS for REDUCED FEE PRIVATE PAY SESSIONS
Working together with children, ADOLESCENTS, ADULTS, Couples and families towards a positive change
Emma is a Licensed Professional Counselor whose approach to counseling is empathetic, holistic, and strengths-based as she works with clients to live their most authentic lives by building healthy coping skills, identifying and expressing emotions, and learning to effectively communicate with their support systems.
Although Emma has worked with individuals of all ages throughout her professional career, she has several years of experience helping children and adolescents, especially younger children (ages 3+), navigate life’s challenges. Additionally, Emma has diverse training and background in grief counseling, including anticipatory grief, and college student mental health.
Emma utilizes a variety of person-centered therapy interventions, including talk therapy, child-centered play therapy techniques in work with children, sandtray therapy, and other creative interventions, to support clients in their healing journey. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and History from Trinity University and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio and is familiar with various supportive resources and providers in and around the greater San Antonio area.
Outside of counseling, Emma likes to spend time with family and friends, watch Marvel movies, and enjoy the great outdoors.
Reading this bio is the first step toward making meaningful change. If Emma sounds like the right fit for you or your child, call KM Counseling or submit an online appointment request today.
KM Counseling Services, PLLC
Professional Licenses:
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health from University of Texas San Antonio
- Licensed Professional Counselor, 2021
NOW Accepting Clients:
- Family and Couples Therapy
- Adult Females (Age 18 and Up)
- Adolescents (Age 13 to 18)
- Children (Age 5 to 18)
- Individual Counseling Sessions
Professional Experience:
- Master of Science in Counseling, emphasis in Marriage and Family
-Licensed Professional Counselor, Associate 2023
-Level 1 Gottman Trained
- Specializes in work with adolescents and young adults with anxiety, depression, and trauma experience
NOW Accepting NEW Clients:
- Adolescents (Age 13 to 18)
- Adults (Age 18 and Up)
Professional Licenses:
- Master of Education in Counseling
- Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, 2021 under the supervision of Kelly Martin, LPC-Supervisor
- Level 1 Gottman Trained, 2022
- Specializes in work with, Couples, veteran and military families; parenting skills
NOW Accepting Clients: Accepting Couple Clients
- Adult Male & Females
(Age 18 and Up)
- Adolescents (Age 12 to 18)
- Individual Counseling Sessions
- Family Therapy
Professional Experience:
- Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2022
- Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, 2022 under the supervision of Kelly Martin, LPC-S and Henrietta Dominguez, LPC-S, RPT-S
- Specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults
- Play Therapy Trained
- Spanish Speaking
NOW Accepting NEW Clients:
- Children (Age 3 to 13)
- Adolescents (Age 13 to 18)
- Adults (Age 18 and Up)