Dorothy Z. Garza, LCSW-S, MSSW ‘91, is the Senior Director of Mental Health Services with Communi- ties In Schools of Central Texas. She was recognized as Field Instructor of the Year in 2001.
Amy Trussell, MSSW ‘99, is Senior Clinical Director of Behavioral Health at Centene Corporation. “I was just promoted and now oversee three clinical programs. Additionally, I volunteer regularly for Disability: In and Junior Achievement.”
Allison Behr, LCSW, MSSW ‘00, is a Clinical Social Worker at UT Dell Medical School’s Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) Program, which provides free tele-health counseling to students. She is also an Assistant Professor of Practice at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work.
Ramon Gomez, MSSW ‘01, began working at the City of Austin Transportation Department as Program Manager for Equity and Inclusion in September of 2021.
Becky Morales, LCSW-S, MSSW ‘03, is Senior Program Director at the Flatwater Foundation, which provides mental health therapy in the wake of cancer. Becky has focused her work in the areas of mental health, oncology, chronic illness and disability, and intimate partner violence.
Tara Faye Ayala, LCSW, MSSW ’07, is Senior Social Worker North Texas VA Medical Center.
Sabina Peerbhai, MSSW ‘07, passed her licensing exam in May 2022 and is participating in the Teacher Educator Program, specializing in Early Childhood Education, for the Ismaili Muslim Community.
Paul Gutierrez, MSSW ‘07, is Director of Visitor Experience and Public Programing at the Kansas City Museum, which uses innovative restorative practices to develop exhibitions and programs. Restorative practices is an emerging social science that studies how to build healthy, sustainable communities and address conflict and prevent wrong- doing by strength- ening social connections.
Annie LaRae Carroll, MSSW ’09, works in preventative care as a Certified Clinical Anxiety Professional and hopes to begin EMDR training soon.
Tamela Malone, MSSW ‘09, expanded her part-time practice to become full-time Owner/Clinician of Austin Therapy South.
Jessica Boston, MSSW ’11, is Director of Government Affairs at the Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice.
Mia Roldan, LCSW, MSSW ‘11, is a Clinical Therapist at Mia Roldan Austin Therapy, PPLC, and Boutique Educational Services. She has also worked with the Texas Department of Health Social Work since 2019 at the Adolescent Medicine Clinic.
Sarah Hines, LCSW, MSSW ‘12, is a Psychotherapist at UT Erlanger Neurology Clinic in Tennessee. She conducts psychotherapy and behavioral interventions for patients with a variety of neurological disorders.
Joanna Mendez, LCSW, MSSW ‘16, provides psychological evaluations and expertise for immigration cases in her private practice, with individuals and families seeking extreme hardship waivers, asylum, U-visas, and T-visas. She also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work.
Nadia Velasquez, LCSW-S, MSSW ‘16, is a Mental Health Counselor at Family Elder-care. She provides services to home bound older adults and individuals experiencing homelessness. She recently completed a fellowship with the American Society on Aging.
Clarissa Pedraza, LMSW, BSW ‘17, MSSW ‘20 is Manager of Community Health Social Services at CommUnityCare in Austin. She started at CommUnityCare as a BSW intern and worked there before and after graduate school. “I’m forever grateful that I was placed with CommUnityCare as my BSW internship!”
Katelyn Caldwell, MSSW ‘20, is Chief of Staff at the Texas House of Representatives. She and her husband had their first baby in 2022, a girl named Rigby Caldwell.
Brandi Washington, LCSW, MSSW ‘20, is an Emergency Department Social Worker at Baylor Scott and White Hospital.
Kitty Ferguson-Mappus, CSW, MSSW ’20, is a Senior Counselor with Specialization Therapy Austin.