Texas
Therapists
Vetted, culturally competent, licensed therapists ready to support you.
MICA SALAZAR ISTRE, LPC
Maria “Mica” Salazar Istre graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with her Master’s in Counselor Education. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Maria has a heart for helping people overcome the obstacles, traumas, and patterns that continue to hold them back from living life to the fullest. As a veteran Marine spouse and family member of law enforcement officers, she understands the unique culture of veterans and first responders. She is a Certified First Responder Counselor (CFRC) and strives to provide the highest quality of care to those who serve our community.
Through her work at a sexual assault center, she has gained clinical experience providing bilingual counseling services to Latinx victims. She has dedicated her time as a counselor in serving the highly marginalized and systemically oppressed in various clinical settings. As a Las Vegas native and child of immigrant parents, Maria is passionate about bridging the gap for ethnic and linguistic minorities in the Acadiana Area. It is this passion that led her to open Tree of Life Counseling and Consulting, the only multiculturally focused group counseling practice in the region.
Maria's specialties include trauma recovery (PTSD and Complex Trauma) for events such as sexual assault, childhood abuse, combat trauma, etc. She has received over 200 hours of trauma training throughout my years as a counselor and approaches counseling through a trauma-informed lens. Maria is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), Trauma Resolution Therapy (TRT), and has received training from Ashland Theological Seminary in Formational Prayer (Inner Healing). She is currently working towards her EMDR certification, which adheres to EMDRIA's highest level of care and expertise, and is an evidence-based and highly effective trauma treatment.
Maria accepts BCBS, Aetna, UHC, UMR, Humana, and Tricare (OON) insurances. She is licensed in Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, and Florida. To schedule an appointment call (337) 703-2806 or email info@treeoflifecoun.com.
DR. BROOKE BARTLETT, PHD
Brooke Bartlett, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and owner of Center for Trauma, Anxiety, and Stress Inc. (CTAS). A nationally recognized trauma specialist, Dr. Bartlett is also a highly specialized first responder and military psychologist with over 10 years of hands-on training and experience providing a wide range of culturally competent mental health services. She has an extensive research history examining first responder and military metal health, with over 20 scientific publications, dozens of national and international conference presentations, and a published book chapter. In addition to her clinical and research work, Dr. Bartlett is frequently featured in a variety of first responder-focused media outlets, including CRACKYL Magazine, industry podcasts, and more. Driven by a deep passion for serving those who serve others, Dr. Bartlett founded CTAS to deliver comprehensive evidence-based services that are accessible, effective, and rooted in cultural competence. She is available to provide culturally competent therapy to first responders in 42 states.
-All states except: Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, New Mexico, Louisiana, Iowa, New York, & Massachusetts
KRISTI CARTER WEIL, LMSW
Kristi Carter Weil is a Licensed Master Social Worker (TX 103804) and retired police officer, now working as a therapist and instructor in Texas. Kristi met her husband on patrol over 20 years ago and has been a first responder spouse since 2004.
During her career as an officer, Kristi earned her Master Peace Officer Certification, Instructor Certification, and Mental Health Peace Officer Certification. Kristi also developed the mental health and crisis intervention training curriculums, and instructed officers and recruits on best practices for serving citizens in mental health crisis. Kristi was the police department’s first Mental Health Response Officer assigned to serve with a co-responding mental health professional and served on the Peer Support Team.
Through her personal experience with critical incidents and secondary trauma exposure during her 20-year career as a police officer, Kristi was inspired to launch a second career as a social worker to serve her community in a new capacity. Kristi earned her B.S. at TCU and her M.S.W. at UTA. Kristi is LGBTQ+ affirming and specializes in working with trauma survivors, people struggling with addiction, as well as first responders, and their spouses. She is trained in CISM, as well as EMDR and CPT therapies. Kristi provides trauma-informed, strengths-based interventions to help her clients achieve their goals.
Visit www.fwcg.org for more information or email Kristi at kristi@fwcg.
First Watch Consulting Group, LLC
682-344-9114 | kristi@fwcg.org | www.fwcg.org
ASHLEY STAKES, LPC-A
Many first responders struggle to put on the uniform day in and day out; feeling helpless that the 911 system will never change plus the frustration of disconnection between dispatch, field, and administration only feeds the discontent. There are so many things we can't control: calls, call volume, and sometimes whether the patient lives or dies. Its no wonder first responders have some of the highest burnout rates. I know this first-hand because I burned out of EMS. All the way out. I am here now as a counselor to help first responders manage and treat the feelings of burnout to increase longevity in the profession. I don't only work with first responders, I also have a passion for veterans, recovering addicts, and anyone who wants to improve their relationship with themselves. Life is too short to be at war with your mind any longer and everyone deserves inner peace. If any of this speaks to you, please give me a call. I have plenty of openings as well as plenty of contacts to direct you to the right clinician if I discover we are not the right fit.
RACHEL FIRNENO, LPC, LCPC
I am a licensed therapist and proud Veteran of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, currently based outside of Denver, Colorado, where I’ve lived since 2019 after spending nearly two decades in Texas, living and working in the Killeen/Ft. Hood area. In addition to my own military service, I am the proud daughter/sister/mother/aunt of military members spread out across all of the branches.
Originally from the mountainous region of Southern Utah, I’ve always felt most at peace in nature—fishing, practicing archery, or simply enjoying the seasons. Outside of work, I cherish time with my husband and our dogs, often reading, cooking, or working on my ranch.
My professional journey began with a deep focus on supporting individuals living with Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. These formative experiences shaped my understanding of trauma and PTSD, inspiring a lasting commitment to helping individuals heal, find stability, and reclaim their lives.
While I no longer work directly in severe mental illness, this background continues to inform my trauma-focused approach. I specialize in working with military/veterans, first/second responders, and adults impacted by PTSD, trauma, and dissociative disorders.
My therapeutic style is collaborative, respectful, and rooted in empathy. I utilize evidence-based modalities including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and I am currently an EMDRIA approved consultant-in-training in EMDR. I provide a variety of EMDR services to include standard treatment, extensive, intensives, and recent/group protocols.
I hold board certifications as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH), and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and am licensed to practice in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Florida, and Nevada.
In addition to therapy, I offer immigration evaluations, clinical supervision, and professional consultation for therapists in Colorado and Arizona.
My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to move forward. If you're ready to begin your healing journey, I’d be honored to walk alongside you