Meet the Team

Maribel Arias, MA, LPC-S, NCC

Owner/Founder/ Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor

My name is Maribel Arias and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor here in the state of Texas. I have a Master’s degree in Counseling from Wayland Baptist University. With over 8 years of experience, I specialize in treating mood disorders, trauma, and providing effective couples counseling. As the owner and founder of Guiding Star Counseling & Wellness, PLLC, I am committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals, couples, and families to explore their unique challenges and find healing.

In addition to my clinical work, I serve as a Clinical Supervisor in the state of Texas for LPC-Associates, guiding the next generation of counselors toward professional licensure. My approach is grounded in empathy, evidence-based practices, and a deep understanding of the complexities of human emotions and relationships.

If you're seeking a compassionate and experienced counselor, I am here to help you navigate life’s difficulties and work towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.

Licensure:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor

    • Texas License #76212

Specializations/Certifications:

  • Trauma Informed Care

  • Traumatic Stress Studies

  • Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional

Therapy Modalities:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Mindfulness

  • Person Centered Therapy

  • Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Somatic Therapy

  • Couples therapy

    • Gottman Approach

Ricardo Velazquez Garcia

Licensed Professional Counselor- Associate / Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor -Intern

Supervised by Maribel Arias, LPC-S, NCC

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure? I'm here to help you explore these feelings, overcome challenges, and create lasting positive change. My expertise includes supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, and identity exploration. As a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPC-A) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor-Intern (LCDC-I), supervised by Maribel Arias, LPC-S, I provide compassionate, evidence-based counseling tailored specifically to you.

My therapeutic approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed practices with innovative interventions like neurofeedback, video game therapy, virtual reality (VR) therapy, and mindfulness strategies. I am certified in administering assessments such as SCID-5-RV, K-SADS, CAPS-5, Young Mania Rating Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale, etc. which are used to tailor your sessions effectively to meet your unique needs.

In addition to my clinical work, I’m actively involved in mental health research at UT Austin's Bipolar Disorder Center. My experience in clinical research and my personal passion for incorporating technology and creative arts into therapy helps create a dynamic, engaging therapeutic environment.

Outside of counseling, I'm deeply passionate about music, nutrition, technology, and philosophy, all of which influence my creative and holistic approach to mental wellness. If you're ready to embark on a meaningful journey toward healing and self-discovery, I warmly invite you to reach out.

Licensure:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor - Associate

    • Texas License #: 97735

    • Supervised by Maribel Arias, LPC-S, NCC

  • Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern

Research Projects:

  • NimStim

  • Smart-BD

  • Nectary-Plus

Specialties:

  • Mood disorders (Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression)

  • Trauma

  • Life Transitions

Therapy Modalities:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

  • Mindfulness Techniques

  • Neurofeedback Interventions

  • Virtual Reality Therapy

Administrative Staff:

David J. Arias, MA, LPC

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