Meet The Team

Nikole Gutierrez, M.Ed., NCC, LCDC

Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and New Leaf Mental Health Owner

Nikole is a Brownsville, TX native who began her pathway to becoming a therapist by earning her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice in December 2010. Nikole earned her Masters of Education in Counseling and Guidance in Fall 2014. Nikole is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), and a National Certified Counselor. Nikole completed (EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing training in 2022. She identifies her approach to therapy as an eclectic one. Nikole believes that as each individual is unique, her approach to therapy should be as well. 

The counseling approaches Nikole utilizes include but are not limited to: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and other evidence-based approaches. 

Additionally, Nikole is a LPC-Supervisor in the state of Texas and conducts supervision using a model that employs the roles of teacher, counselor, and consultant within a developmental framework.

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Michelle Burkott, M.Ed.

Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and New Leaf Mental Health Owner

Michelle Burkott is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S). She is licensed to practice mental health counseling in Texas and provide supervision to LPC Associates. Michelle grew up in Northern California in a large family. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Communications from Brigham Young University Hawaii. Michelle earned a Masters in Education degree in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Texas at Brownsville in 2008. 

Michelle has worked in higher education for over twenty years as an Academic Advisor, Counselor, and Psychology Lecturer. She currently teaches Psychology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.​

Michelle has been working in the private practice setting since 2012.  By using cognitive behavioral therapy and other modalities she supports individuals in their efforts to grow and change. Additionally, Michelle trained in (EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing by completing a 40 hour course in 2022. As a trained EMDR therapist, Michelle treats complex trauma in individuals.

Currently her focus is primarily working with adolescents and adults.

Anna Thornock, M.S. LPC-Associate 

Supervised by Nikole Gutierrez, LPC-S

Anna has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. Anna graduated with a Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in December 2023 graduating distinguished. Anna is a compassionate and empathetic therapist who utilizes a collaborative  approach using therapy approaches such as CBT, DBT and other evidence based modalities to address clients’ diagnosed disorders. Anna has experience providing counseling services in the private practice setting to a variety of individuals and populations. Anna has a passion for helping individuals with mental health disorders and understands the challenges these populations can endure. Anna provides a listening ear to help her client's achieve their treatment goals to live a better life.

Madison Burkott, M.S. LPC-Associate 

Supervised by Nikole Gutierrez, LPC-S

Madison Burkott is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. She earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley in 2023. Madison is trained in vocational rehabilitation and working with the disabled population. She is fluent in American Sign Language. She has experience working with people of all ages through individual counseling and group counseling. Madison is currently a school counselor working with adolescents providing assistance in emotional and social support in the school setting. She works to advocate for the student and assist in their personal goals and improving their well-being. Madison has experience practicing several counseling modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness.

Vanessa Valdez, M.Ed., LPC-Associate.

Supervised by Michelle Burkott, LPC-S

Vanessa earned a Masters of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley in 2022. She has experience working with individuals, couples, and groups. She primarily works with people who have experienced anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, ADHD, stress, anger, and trauma. She typically use an integrative approach when it comes to therapy, with the top modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, mindfulness therapy, and exposure therapy. Vanessa believes that every individual has the ability and power to make changes and better their wellbeing. Sometimes we just need a helping hand, and that is exactly what she is here for. Her main goal as a counselor is for clients to leave each session feeling empowered and supported.

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Lisa Zuniga, M.S., LPC-Associate 

Supervised by Nikole Gutierrez, LPC-S

Lisa holds a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Texas Tech University Health Science Center. She earned her Bachelor’s in Rehabilitation Services from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Before pursuing counseling, Lisa was a nanny for a family creating a nurturing and safe environment to promote emotional, social, and intellectual growth for children ages 8 months to 8 years old. As a high school student, she pursued studies in nursing where she had the opportunity to be a volunteer for a pediatric clinic.

She chose to study rehabilitation counseling because of witnessing how a family members disability (schizophrenia) had impacted her family. It’s from this experience that Lisa learned coping with a disability can be difficult for an individual and their family without the adequate resources and treatment. For this very reason, she worked hard to provide assistance in helping clients improve their overall physical, cognitive and emotional health. She also helped co-create a prototype website to educate police about people with disabilities. The purpose of the website was to raise police officer’s awareness on how they can appropriately respond to a person with a cognitive disability. Lisa strives to provide services in an empathetic, patient, supportive, non-judgmental, and compassionate manner using a combination of Person-Centered Therapy and CBT. 

Leticia Mendez, M.Ed., LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor 

Leticia is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is a native of Brownsville, where she
earned a Bachelors of Liberal Arts degree in 2000 at the University of Texas at Brownsville.
Leticia later earned her Masters in Education with a degree in school counseling and
mental health from Lamar University in 2018.
Leticia has been working for the Brownsville Independent School District for over 16
years. She is a certified school teacher who taught elementary for 12 years before becoming a certified school counselor for the district. Currently, as a school counselor,
Leticia focuses on the social emotional needs of students, career and personal goals,
student responsive services, and provides quality programs to students to help their
chances of success. In 2023, Leticia obtained her Texas state license as
an LPC and works evenings at New Leaf Mental Health. Leticia has experience
working with children, adolescents, and adults. Modalities used include CBT, DBT, and
Solution Focused Therapy.

Email: ldiazmendez.lpc@gmail.com
Phone: (956) 254-7005

Yudith Trevino, Grad Student UTRGV

Supervised by Michelle Burkott, LPC-S

Yudith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Health Education from UTB in 2010. 

She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from UTRGV, expected graduation is May 2024. Yudith has previous work experience with Tropical Texas Behavioral Health, case managing for the unaccompanied minors' program, and was a community youth leader volunteer for children of parents in recovery. Yudith has experience leading group counseling in stress and anxiety management. Her counseling areas of interest include working with youth, couples/marital, and trauma. 

Modalities frequently used are CBT, DBT, ACT, Solution-Focused, and Family Systems Therapy.