My name is Daniel Barrera, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, supervised by Blanca Robles, M.S., C.R.C., LPC Supervisor, in the state of Texas and the owner and operator of New Leaf Services.

 

My path towards becoming a LPC Associate began at South Texas College in McAllen, TX back in 2008, where I earned an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in Social Sciences with a focus on Psychology. I then continued my studies at the University of Texas - Pan American in Edinburg, TX earning a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.  

 

With these educational credentials, I was able to become a Certified Anger Resolution Therapist (C.A.R.T.) and be vetted to be a provider of record for our local county court and adult probation system in 2012. 

 

In October of that same year, I founded New Leaf Services and since then, we’ve helped hundreds of legally mandated and non-mandated clients across the Rio Grande Valley and Texas navigate their emotional challenges due to destructive anger outbursts, offering them hope and guidance through difficult times.

 

Throughout this time, we would also receive referrals from employers who had employees that experienced destructive anger outbursts that put their employment, other coworkers, and customers in jeopardy. Receiving anger management training and counseling would prevent employers from having to replace valuable employees and prevent the from losing needed employment.

 

Over the years, I have also gained valuable experience working with Tropical Texas Behavioral Health (TTBH), the local mental health authority in Edinburg, TX.  As part of the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, I assisted individuals in crisis, including those suffering from psychosis, trauma, suicidal and homicidal ideation, and mental and emotional breakdowns. This role allowed me to see firsthand both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. It was the hardest work I had ever done but it was also the most satisfying in mental health up until the point.

 

Several years later, I took on the role of Program Coordinator for the Texas Health and Human Services’ Zero Suicide Initiative at Tropical TX Behavioral Health, where I worked on trauma-informed care and suicide prevention policies and staff trainings for Tropical and eight other local mental health authorities across the state of Texas.

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My desire to help people on a deeper level led me to go back to graduate school and complete a Master of Education (M.Ed) with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley.  With this credential, I was eligible to became a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the state of Texas and able to expand my professional offerings to serve a wider range of clientele and clinical issues.

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Now, as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, I’m excited to expand our services under the clinical guidance of Blanca Robles, M.S., C.R.C., LPC Supervisor to include:

 

> Professional Counseling: Offering therapeutic supports for a wide variety of emotional and mental health issues.

 

> Coaching: Providing personalized guidance for individuals seeking personal growth and problem-solving, even if these concerns don’t meet the threshold for emotional or mental health disorders.

 

> Consulting: Assisting organizations with training and strategies on topics like customer service, communication, work-life balance, and corporate culture.

 

I have found that the process of counseling/therapy, to me, is a re-humanizing process. Life’s difficulties often dim our inner spark, but through counseling/therapy, we can rekindle that light and bring back our authentic selves to every part of our lives.  Throughout my training in grad school I have worked on my own therapy and "re-humanizing" of myself and continue to do so in my personal life.

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I understand the courage it takes to seek help but I have also seen how much it has helped me and the people I have had the pleasure of working with.  It would be an honor to work with you on your journey toward healing and growth.

 

At New Leaf Services, our mission is to guide individuals toward understanding themselves, embracing change, and take the practical steps toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Take a moment and reach out to book a session with me today. It will be confidential, safe and non-judgmental, and you'll be on your way to feeling and being better.

I hope to hear from you...soon.