District Clinical Counseling Services (DCCS) is committed to increasing student enrollment, retention, and successful completion by supporting students with their personal goals. The DCCS provides support and assistance to students during difficult or crisis situations. Licensed and license-eligible clinical counselors will assist students through personal challenges, transitions, and the stressful times throughout a student’s college experience.
To schedule an appointment or referral for mental health clinical services please submit a District Clinical Counseling Services Referral / Request.
Central
Janny Hernandez Paneque, M.A., MFT, LPC-Associate, BC-TMH
My role as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor for Austin Community College (ACC) is to serve my clients based on a holistic approach, combined with clinical experience, personal observations; and advocacy, while deciding on mental health goals together, and providing recommendations in line with those goals. I strive to create a safe & trusting space for all of my clients within a foundation that is free of judgment, great communication, compassion, and mutual respect.
Areas of Experience & Focus: Young Adult/Adolescent Issues – Suicide & Crisis Management- Depression/Anxiety – Stress Reduction- Relationship Issues- Sexual Assault/Violence – Grief & Loss- Time Management -Social/Communication Skills- Stress Reduction- Parent Education, Self-Esteem & Personal Growth. Theoretical Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client Centered, Narrative and Solution Focus.
LPC-Associate, Bilingual in Spanish, employed with ACC since 2010 to current; supervised by Associate Dean of Counseling Dr. Zamarripa, LPC-S
- Masters in Counseling Psychology (MFT-Marriage & Family Therapist Program) Costa Mesa, CA- 2005
- BA of Arts in Psychology, Los Angeles, CA- 2001
Janny offers counseling remotely via video and/or phone. She also offers in-person sessions at the Highland Campus (HLC).
Susan M. Lorino, M.ED., LPC, BC-TMH
Susan M. Lorino is a licensed professional counselor with 15 years of experience counseling students in higher education. Her passion stems from wanting to help students overcome whatever is getting in the way of achieving what it is they most want for themselves. Susan’s style is compassionate, non-judgmental, curious, and includes humor (yes, we laugh in therapy!). Areas of focus include adult/childhood trauma, PTSD, relationship difficulties, grief/loss, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. Susan utilizes EMDR, the NeuroAffective Relational Model, Sandtray Therapy, somatic techniques, and mindfulness in her work.
Susan offers counseling remotely via video and/or phone. She also offers in-person sessions at the Rio Grande Campus (RGC).
Lucia Ponce, MSSW, LCSW, BC-TMH
My approach is a holistic one- taking into consideration every aspect of your life, work, traditions, cultural beliefs, values, spirituality, identity and sexual orientation. My objective is to create a safe space where you can feel supported, get to know yourself better, explore your emotional needs, and set goals, all at your own pace. Bilingual in Spanish.
Lucia offers counseling remotely via video and/or phone. She also offers in-person sessions at the Eastview Campus (EVC).
North
Adam Lenker, M.A., LPC-S, BC-TMH
Whatever you are dealing with, know that I am here to listen, support you and help you figure things out. I believe strongly in encouraging self-empowerment, focusing on choices and their results. Central to my theoretical orientation (Person-Centered, Existentialist) is a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, being solution focused, as well as encouraging mindfulness. Areas of clinical expertise include chemical dependency, stress and anger management, life adjustments, veterans’ issues, intimate and non-intimate partner abuse, crisis prevention and intervention, long-term illnesses and palliative counseling.
Adam offers counseling remotely via video and/or phone. He also offers in-person sessions at the Round Rock Campus (RRC).
Patricia Sanchez, M.A., LPC, LCDC, BC-TMH
My counseling philosophy is rooted in the idea that human beings are resilient and can overcome challenges in their life. I use a holistic approach to help my clients move towards their goals and achieve overall personal growth. I believe in empowering my clients to create positive change in their lives. I also create a safe space for my clients to be heard, respected and supported in their journey.
Areas of Experience & Focus: anxiety, depression, grief & loss, substance abuse, crisis intervention, stress management and relationship concerns.
Theoretical Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered, Solution-Focused, Humanistic
- Bilingual in Spanish
- Licensed Professional Counselor (TX)
- Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (TX)
Patty offers counseling remotely via video and/or phone. She also offers in-person sessions at the San Gabriel Campus (SGC).
Janie Wang, M.A., LPC-S, BC-TMH
Since joining ACC in 2010, Janie Wang has been providing clinical counseling for mood disorders, crisis management, family violence intervention, motivation, emotions management, trauma, anxiety, and relationship health for students. She is trained in mental health assessment, individual and group counseling, suicide assessment and prevention, drug and alcohol counseling, trauma aftercare, disaster relief counseling, and EMDR. She has also worked with local and national organizations on human trafficking prevention both in Texas and in Bolivia, South America.
Janie offers counseling remotely via video and/or phone. She also offers in-person sessions at the Northridge Campus (NRG).
South
Sandra S. Elizondo, M.A., LPC, BC-TMH
My name is Sandra Elizondo and I have 30 years of experience working with individuals in mental health crisis and in the areas of sexual assault and intimate partner violence as it relates to crisis and trauma. Other areas of experience in the field are working with PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, student issues, self-esteem, drug/alcohol abuse, stress, abandonment issues, case management, and self-care. I use cognitive behavior therapy to assist students seeking counseling and I’m trained to administer the SASSI which is a drug and alcohol assessment tool.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counseling from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas with a master’s degree concentrating in mental health and substance abuse counseling.
I strive in helping students have a healthy and successful learning experience at ACC while helping them also focus on mental health.
Sandra offers counseling remotely via video and/or phone. She also offers in-person sessions at the Hays Campus (HYS).
Mary Forrest-Wright, MA, LPC-S, LMFT-S, BC-TMH
My approach to therapy is empathetic, supportive, and solution-focused. It takes courage to face change head-on and I am here to help support you in this journey. I like to work collaboratively with my clients and your feedback is valued. I am a trauma-informed therapist and I use an integration of Cognitive Behavioral Techniques, Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused Therapy. I focus on helping my clients to identify their strengths while challenging and changing any negative thought filters that might be holding them back in life. My clinical expertise areas include anxiety, depression, grief, relationships, stress management, veterans’ issues, life transitions, and trauma.
Mary offers counseling remotely via video and/or phone. She also offers in-person sessions at the Round Rock Campus (RRC).
Andrew Silver, M.A., LPC-S, LCDC, BC-TMH
Some of the most difficult challenges we face aren’t as clear as a broken bone, conflict at work or school or problems with money. At times the greatest challenges are confined to our mind and heart. I’m here to listen, be with, and help you navigate whatever may be going on in your life. I believe we have the tools to be our optimal selves and become aware of our behaviors that don’t serve us. My clinical orientation focuses on the stories we tell ourselves, positive psychology and solution focused. My clinical expertise include chemical dependency (LCDC), anxiety, life adjustments, relationship issues, crisis prevention and intervention, and palliative counseling.
Andrew offers counseling remotely via video and/or phone. He also offers in-person sessions at the South Austin Campus (SAC).
