Meet the Team
Jaime Telfeyan, LPC-S, NCC – Executive Director, Non-Voting Board Member
[email protected]
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor with a bachelor's in psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and a master’s in counseling psychology from the University of West Alabama – Livingston. I have lived in Austin since November of 2005 and will likely never leave the wonderful state of Texas!
My passion and life’s work has always been in advocating for and supporting those in need of mental health services. I will continue to lend my voice and strength to that cause here at CAC. I am moved and inspired by the amazing team I have the honor to work alongside while doing so. I hope to see you around Austin at the many fantastic fundraisers CAC will be having to ensure that every single individual, couple, and family that needs services with us are able to receive them!
When I’m not at CAC, I can be found in North Austin with my extraordinary twin daughters doing all kinds of fun and creative things! In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, movies, and all things chocolate! I live my life as an adventure and find a reason to share a laugh and a smile every day!
Blu Mendoza-Staats, MA, CST, LMFT-S – Clinical Director
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and supervisor and a certified sex therapist. My expertise is in trauma, sex, and couples counseling. I am trained in EMDR, Gottman Therapy, and EFT. I have also worked with collaborative family law practices.
I specialize in working with men and women who are concerned about their relationships or sex life. I’ve helped many clients dealing with a difficult breakup or struggling to stay together find hope and strength in a time of pain. I am happy to work with individuals and/or couples who want to improve their quality of life and foster fulfilling relationships.
I graduated from the Masters in Counseling program at St. Edward’s in 2011. I have spent the majority of my career building my private practice. While doing so, I discovered a love for shepherding counselor trainees and new professionals through the process of becoming fully-licensed clinicians. I worked on my dissertation for a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Texas Tech University and graduated in late 2019.
Doc Davis, LPC, NCC, CCMHC – Director of Operations
I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in education, and my master’s degree in clinical counseling. I have spent the entirety of my practicum and academic internships at CAC, and I also completed my postgraduate work here. The lessons learned, the support I have received, and the beautiful people I have met along my pre-grad and post-grad journey have inspired me to become part of the CAC staff.
Though my path through the mental health field started in 1990 with addiction recovery and then crisis stabilization/management, I have become grounded in mindfulness therapies with an interesting hint of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy thrown into the mix. Once my licensure is complete, I have an interest in using my education minor to supervise interns, helping them find their path as others helped me find mine.
If you ever want to swing by and introduce yourself, you can find me at CAC working with clients to complete my licensure hours, setting up the next CAC Movie Night event, or tending to some minor IT issues, drawing on my education, experience, and my hobbies to bring my whole self to the role. I look forward to meeting you!
Toby Collins, LPC-S – Clinical Partner
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in the state of Texas, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas Tech and a master’s degree in counseling from St. Edward’s. I’ve worked all over the greater Austin area with a wide range of clients, and currently have a practice in Round Rock. Throughout my career, I have enjoyed teaching and training new clinicians and helping further our field of mental health and counseling.
I was a practicum student at Capital Area Counseling when I was still in school, and returned as a post-graduate student as well. It was a wonderful experience for me, and I knew that I wanted to return on another roll as I grew on my own path. As a supervisor, I’m fortunate to be able to come to Capital Area Counseling once again. It is my pleasure to get to work with the students and interns that will one day be at the forefront of our profession.
Maureen Havelka, LCSW-S – Clinical Partner
12 years of practicing social work have given me experience working with: people in the queer/LGBT community, people struggling with gender identity, or who are in the process of transitioning, as well as members of the polyamorous and kink communities.
I hold a special place in my heart for working with those who are experiencing terminal illness and/or grief and loss. I currently run a full-time private counseling practice that has a DBT focus and is trauma-informed working with individuals who are 14 years old and above.
My social work professional history includes work in an inpatient medical hospital as a medical social worker, intake admissions for psychiatric hospitalizations in the ER, as well as ER social work, utilization review for mental health insurance, and working for an LGBT community center’s homeless youth program. I also have had experience working with chronically homeless adults and working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and hate crimes.
Kara Hartzell, LCSW-S - Clinical Partner
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor in the state of Texas. My primary clinical specialties include grief and loss, trauma, chronic pain and geriatric and aging issues. I am trained in EMDR therapy and DEEP therapy.
My social work professional history includes time spent in grief and loss counseling, hospice social work, geriatric case management, working with and advocating for homeless youth and in-home psychotherapy for homebound individuals.
I value building supportive relationships with clients and helping them transition from feeling stuck with current patterns or behaviors to a place where they are able to find more hope, joy, and peace.
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Jackie Marquez, BS - Administrative Coordinator
I was born and raised in El Paso, TX. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Park University in 2018. Soon after I moved to Austin, TX, and have fallen in love with this place! I enjoy Austin’s scenery, hiking, and all the dog-friendly places. I started working with Capital Area Counseling in the summer of 2018. I love meeting and interacting with all of our clients and watching them benefit from the services we provide. I am so grateful to work in a fun and caring environment where I learn something new every day!
Karissa Roy, LPC-Intern – Intake Coordinator
My name is Karissa Roy. I was born in San Antonio, Texas but have also lived in other countries/states but Austin is the place to be! I am a certified drug and alcohol counselor and an LPC Intern. I support and believe in what Capital Area Counseling does and hope to continue to be a liaison, sharing and spreading the support that CAC offers. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existential Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness techniques, and compassion as my counseling style. I strongly believe in art therapy, recreational therapy, and animal therapy and the benefits of these styles to be therapeutic and beneficial for most individuals.
Alex Lazar, Pre-Graduate Intern – Intake Coordinator
I am in my second year of a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Adam's State University. I received my bachelor's degree in business management from Linfield College in 2014.
I have worked in wilderness therapy as well as other children and adolescent residential treatment programs. I currently see clients at Capital Area Counseling and another local mental health organization. Over time, I have built an affinity and passion working with children and teenagers. Specifically, those who are currently or have been involved with Child Protective Services. I am proud to be part of the CAC team, providing affordable services to thousands of people.
Patrick Carrig, BA – Reception
HI, I’m Patrick and I have been with CAC since February 2019. I have also been in therapy on and off since 4th grade and I loved it so much that I’m currently in the process of earning my master’s in clinical psychology from Pepperdine with the ultimate goal of attaining my PsyD! I graduated from UT in 2008 with a BA in Anthropology, which remains a passion of mine to this day.
I have always felt a calling for non-profit work and I absolutely LOVE working here at CAC! My ultimate goal is to be able to devote my creative energies into working relentlessly towards helping others heal and actively participate in dismantling and decolonizing systems that operate through the exploitation of marginalized populations and communities. Hopefully while inspiring others to do the same as responding to our gross present power inequities is going to require a lot of bodies and full hearts.
In addition to working towards being the best possible therapist that I can be, my other hobbies include my cat, anything anthropology/archeology/paleontology as well as podcasts, gardening, chicken farming, metal detecting, fishing, magnet fishing, possum wrangling and being a relentless thorn in the side of white supremacy while dismantling the current status quo.