Meet the Empatia CounselingTeam
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
At Empatia Counseling, we provide therapy with heart, healing with empathy. Our team is dedicated to creating a warm, supportive space where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered. What makes us special? We genuinely care. Our culture is built on empathy, collaboration, and a deep commitment to seeing our clients thrive. Whether in-person or virtually, we’re here to walk alongside you on your journey to healing and growth.

Owner, LPC
Marivel Tijerina
Are you or your child struggling with anxiety, ADHD, trauma, self-esteem issues, school challenges, or depression? You don’t have to face it alone—I’m here to help.
​​
​I’m passionate about guiding individuals to explore and express their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in ways that promote growth, healing, and understanding. Every person’s journey is unique, and I’m committed to providing compassionate support tailored to your specific needs.
​
I know it can feel overwhelming to take the first step toward therapy, but you’re in the right place. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where clients of all ages can heal, grow, and discover their strengths. Let’s take small steps forward together to help you or your child thrive.
​
Client Focus
-
Children & Teens (5-17)
-
Adults (18-50)
​
Treatment Approach
-
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
-
Play Therapy Trained
-
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Trained (EMDR)
​​
Session Fee
-
$150 a session
-
Accepts UHC, Optum, BCBS, Aetna , & Cigna

LPC Associate
Supervised by Shawna Corley, Ph.D. LPC-S
Samantha Battles
Hello, I’m Samantha, a Licensed Professional Therapist Associate with a passion for helping others navigate life’s complexities. I specialize in anxiety, depression, grief/loss, self-esteem, ADHD, and relationship challenges. With a warm, empathetic approach, I provide a safe space for healing and growth, focusing on developing healthy coping strategies and fostering resilience.
I earned a Master’s degree in General Psychology from Purdue University and a Master’s in Counseling Development with a specialization in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy from Lamar University. My therapeutic style helps clients uncover their strengths and create meaningful solutions for a balanced, fulfilling life.
​
Together, we’ll work to discover tools and insights to navigate life’s ups and downs, helping you move forward with hope and confidence.
​
​Client Focus​
-
Children & Teens (5-17)
-
Adults (18-26)
-
Women (18-40)
-
Family Counseling
​
Treatment Approach​
-
Person-Centered Therapy
-
Evidenced-Based Therapy
-
Solution Brief Focused Therapy (SBFT)
-
Techniques tailored to client's needs
​
Session Fee
-
$80 a session
-
Accepts Aetna & Cigna

LPC
Larissa Ramos
Larissa is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families in both educational and clinical settings. A graduate of The University of Texas at San Antonio, Larissa earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling.
Larissa strives to help clients address challenges impacting their every day lives. Larissa specializes in helping individuals navigating behavioral challenges, anxiety, depression, low level substance use, and other life stressors. She offers a compassionate and effective approach to mental health building a collaborative therapeutic relationship to improve emotional regulation, communication skills, coping mechanisms, unhealthy behaviors, and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns to allow for personal growth.
Larissa serves clients cope with the effects of traumatic events. She is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and is dedicated to working with children, adolescents, and their caregivers. Larissa utilizes a variety of approaches to meet her clients' needs and provides services in both English and Spanish.
Larissa believes in the power of creating a safe and open space for emotional expression and self-exploration. Taking a person-centered and relational approach, she fosters growth by empowering clients to embrace their uniqueness and resilience, helping them recognize their ability to adapt, and create positive change in their lives.
​
Client Focus​​
-
Children & Teens (5-17)
-
Adults (18-40)
​​
Treatment Approach​
-
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Certified
-
Offers services in English & Spanish
​​
Session Fee
-
$100 a session
-
Accepts UHC, Optum and BCBS

LPC
Alyssa Ganev
I believe that each person is the expert on themselves, and my role is to be a supportive guide throughout the healing process. While difficult situations or experiences are an inevitable part of life, we can work together to help you overcome challenges and find balance!
My goal is to provide a compassionate and supportive space where children, teens, and adults can navigate life with confidence. I have 10 years of experience, and I specialize in helping individuals with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, relationship issues, and life transitions.
I work from a Person Centered approach to help clients feel empowered to take ownership of their life and make positive changes. Whether you are looking for support for yourself, or your child, I look forward to working together to meet your unique needs and goals.
​
Client Focus​
-
Children & Teens (5-17)
-
Adults (18-40)​​
​​
Treatment Approach​
-
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
-
Person-Centered Therapy
​​
Session Fee
-
$100 a session
-
Accept UHC, Optum, & BCBS

Administrative Coordinator
Maleese Matchett
Hello! I’m Maleese, the friendly force behind Empatia Counseling Services, ensuring that every client’s experience is smooth and handled with care. I manage scheduling, client communication, and administrative support, allowing our therapists to focus on providing the best care possible.
​
Whether you’re booking an appointment, navigating paperwork, or simply have questions about our services, I am here to assist with warmth and efficiency. I am dedicated to making your experience as seamless as possible.