Meet the Clinicians

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

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).

Kenneth Luna, M.S., LPC, NCC, BC-TMH

Counseling can be very vulnerable at times. We will discuss hard things and may sometimes not be talked about outside our therapeutic relationship. For this reason, the forefront of my process of therapy begins with rapport. Without mutual trust and respect in one another, healing cannot start. I believe it is my duty to establish a relationship that is unbiased and safe for you. While counseling can be hard and serious, I hope that we can have fun times and laugh while we discuss different aspects of your life.

Areas of Experience & Focus: LGBTQIA2S+ Issues – 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, Self-Esteem & Personal Growth. Theoretical Approaches: Person Centered Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy.

  • B.A. in Applied Arts & Sciences minor in Elementary Education – Texas State University                    
  • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Texas A&M University-Central Texas 
  • Licensed Professional Counselor  
  • National Certified Counselor (NCC)                                                 

Kenneth offers counseling remotely via video and/or phone. He also offers in-person sessions at the Elgin Campus (EGN).

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).

Leyna Nuñez, LCSW, BC-TMH

Leyna Nuñez is a licensed clinical social worker with 13 years experience working in various
substance use disorder and mental health treatment settings. Her approach to therapy is to
help students identify their own strengths, needs and the barriers they face in order to develop
a strategy to reach their goals that is unique to them.

Leyna’s objective is to create a safe space
for clients to explore and empower themselves to make changes.

Leyna offers counseling remotely via video and/or phone. She also offers in-person sessions at
the Highland Campus (HLC).

North

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).

Janny Hernandez Paneque, M.A., MFT, LPC, 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, Bilingual in Spanish, employed with ACC since 2010 to current

  • 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 Cypress Campus (CYP).

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).

South

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).

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).

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  • Request a DCCS Professional for an Event

  • If you would like for one of our Mental Health Clinical Professionals to virtually attend an event, schedule a workshop, or present please submit a Clinical Counseling Services Event Request form. A confirmation of the event request will be emailed separately.

  • Suicide Prevention

  • If you or someone you know is considering harm to self (suicide) or to others please call 911 immediately.

  • Hotlines

    • Austin / Travis County 24 hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)
    • The Williamson County 24 hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
    • Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
    • Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
    • National Suicide Prevention Hotline:1-800-273-TALK (8255)
    • SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text: TalkWithUs to 66746: 24/7, 365 days a year
  • Drug Free Schools & College Prevention Program

  • Austin Community College is dedicated to providing a safe, healthy environment for students, employees, and visitors. Learn More.

  • cares_logo_vert.png
  • If you are concerned for a student that might be in distress, refer to CARES.

  • Drug & Alcohol and Suicide Prevention Courses

  • This module will introduce you to some foundational and key information on Drug & Alcohol and Suicide Prevention concerns as well as some beginning steps to take for assistance and support.

  • Learn more

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