photo of Cannenta counselor and client

About Cannenta Center

Our name, Cannenta, has Latin origins and means, “a woman possessing healing powers.” While we don't claim to have magical healing powers, we do use evidence-based mental health techniques to empower you to heal and thrive.

Welcome to Cannenta Center
for Healing and Empowerment

At Cannenta Center, we believe that mental health is a crucial part of salud general. Our mission is to provide compassionate and culturally sensitive care that supports your mental health journey.

Founded by Dr. Leti Cavazos, Cannenta Center was created to fill the gap in mental health services for marginalized communities. Our Spanish-speaking consejeros y equipo diverso de profesionales are trained to understand the unique challenges that cultural and generational trauma may bring. Whether you're searching for un consejero que habla español, consejería de parejas, evaluaciones de inmigración o cualquier cosa intermedia, we are here to support you with care that is compassionate and tailored to your needs.

Proud Partnerships

The Cannenta Center embeds our own experienced clinicians in local clinics to provide culturally-sensitive mental health services.

 Meet the Experts at Cannenta Center

At Cannenta Center, our team consists of experienced professionals who are passionate about providing accessible, culturally relevant atención de salud mental. We offer services in English, Spanish, and ASL, so if you're searching for a Spanish-speaking therapist – un consejero que habla español – our clinicians are here to help.

Our licensed técnicos en salud mental y consejeros are equipped with decades of clinical experience. If you're seeking couples counseling, individual therapy, or specialized services like terapia psicológica en español, Cannenta’s practitioners are here to walk with you on your path to positive mental health. We offer evening and weekend hours to accommodate your busy schedule, and our affordable therapy options make it easier to get the care you need.

We want to join you on this precious journey to positive mental health.

Leadership

Dr. Leti Cavazos, DSW, LCSW-S

FOUNDER | CEO | CLINICIAN

DFW Area | Telehealth (virtual)

Dr. Leti Cavazos, DSW, LCSW-S, is the founder and CEO of the Cannenta Center for Healing and Empowerment and the founder of the Cannenta Foundation. She earned her Doctor of Social Work from the University of Tennessee, where she specialized in clinical practice and leadership.

Beatriz Cerda, MSW

Director of Partner and Client Engagement

Beatriz is a compassionate and dedicated MSW professional with extensive experience in client advocacy, case management, and community outreach. She is skilled in providing trauma informed and strengths-based support to individuals and families facing crisis, while effectively connecting clients to community resources and developing individualized service plans.


Licensed Clinicians

Alicia Villa, LPC

COO | CLINICIAN

In-Office (Oakcliff) | Telehealth (virtual)

** ACCEPTS INSURANCE **

Accepting NEW Clients

Alicia is a bilingual counselor and mental health leader dedicated to creating spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported. With experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families, Alicia provides compassionate and culturally responsive care that honors each person’s unique experiences, values, and goals.

Britany Myers, LCSW-S

CLINICIAN

** ACCEPTS INSURANCE **

In-Office (Addison) | Telehealth (virtual)

Accepting NEW Clients

Britany is a bilingual (ASL) counselor who is eager to work with the hearing-impaired and LGBTQ+ populations. She is also trained in premarital counseling.

Elizabeth Palafox Zaldivar, LCSW

CLINICIAN

** ACCEPTS INSURANCE **

In-Office (San Antonio) | Telehealth (virtual)

Accepting NEW Clients

Elizabeth is a bilingual (Spanish) counselor providing services to multicultural families in the San Antonio community.

Karina Rendon-Ortiz, LCSW

CLINICIAN

** ACCEPTS INSURANCE **

In-Office (Addison) | Telehealth (virtual)

Accepting NEW Clients

Karina is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to creating a safe and supportive space where individuals feel heard, valued, and understood. With a deep commitment to helping clients navigate life’s challenges, she integrates compassion and evidence-based care to foster healing, balance, and personal growth.

Selma Gutierrez, LPC Associate

CLINICIAN

** ACCEPTS INSURANCE **

In-Office (San Antonio) | Telehealth (virtual)

Accepting NEW Clients

Selma Gutierrez, LPC Associate #89616 (supervised by Arthur Freyre, LPC-S #66644), is a bilingual (Spanish) Latina therapist dedicated to providing a compassionate, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe, heard, and understood.


Partnership Clinicians

Carlos Acosta, MA, LPC

CANNENTA CENTER CLINICIAN
Supporting NOW FORWARD

Carlos earned his MA in Professional Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. He is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Prepare/Enrich and SYMBIS. Carlos is fluent in Spanish (Carlos habla español con fluidez).

Karla Delgado, LCSW

CANNENTA CENTER CLINICIAN
Supporting HHM HEALTH

Karla Delgado is a bilingual Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), fluent in English and Spanish, dedicated to supporting children, individuals, and families as they navigate life’s challenges, transitions, and opportunities for growth. She earned both her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from The University of Texas at Arlington, with her graduate education focused on mental health.

Leslie Montes, LMSW

CANNENTA CENTER CLINICIAN
Supporting LBU COMMUNITY CLINIC

Leslie Montes, LMSW, is a bilingual social worker fluent in English and Spanish who is passionate about helping children, adolescents, and families feel safe, supported, and understood. She has experience providing play therapy and most recently served adolescents within a Federally Qualified Health Center, helping young people navigate mental health concerns, life transitions, relationships, and other challenges affecting their well-being.

Leslie Montes

Maritza Ruiz, LMSW

CANNENTA CENTER CLINICIAN
Supporting HHM HEALTH

Maritza Ruiz, LCSW, is a bilingual social worker with specialized experience in substance use treatment and mental health counseling.

HHM Health logo
HHM Health logo

Gisselle Salas, LMSW

CANNENTA CENTER CLINICIAN
Supporting HHM HEALTH

Gisselle Salas is a bilingual behavioral health professional fluent in English and Spanish. She began her journey with Cannenta as a student therapist intern with the Cannenta Foundation, where she provided in-person and virtual mental health services through Project Ayuda to individuals who may otherwise have faced barriers to accessing care.

HHM Health logo
HHM Health logo

Natalie Santiago, LMSW

CANNENTA CENTER CLINICIAN
Supporting LBU COMMUNITY CLINIC

Natalie Santiago is a bilingual Licensed Master Social Worker with experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families across integrated healthcare and community-based settings.

A woman with curly dark hair smiling and wearing a black blazer, a red top, and a gold heart necklace, standing in front of a light-colored brick wall.

Jennifer Mendez, MSW

CANNENTA CENTER CLINICIAN
Supporting HHM HEALTH

Jennifer Mendez is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from The University of Texas at Arlington, with a concentration in direct practice with children and families, and a Bachelor’s degree from Oral Roberts University.

HHM Health logo
HHM Health logo

Rebecca Padilla, LMSW

CANNENTA CENTER CLINICIAN
Supporting HHM HEALTH

Rebeca Padilla, LMSW, is a bilingual Licensed Master Social Worker dedicated to helping individuals, families, and adolescents navigate life’s challenges and achieve emotional well-being.

HHM Health logo
HHM Health logo

Karina Padilla, LMSW

CANNENTA CENTER CLINICIAN
Supporting HHM HEALTH

Karina Padilla, LMSW, is a bilingual social worker fluent in English and Spanish with experience supporting adolescents, families, survivors, and other vulnerable populations. Her background includes victim advocacy, crisis intervention, education, case management, safety planning, and connecting clients with community-based resources. Karina is passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to build resilience and create meaningful change.

HHM Health logo
HHM Health logo

Victoria Castillo, LMFT

CANNENTA CENTER CLINICIAN
Supporting child & family guidance center

Victoria Castillo, LMFT, is a bilingual marriage and family therapist who provides compassionate, trauma-informed care to individuals, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds. She supports clients as they navigate stress, emotional challenges, relationship concerns, and major l

Victoria Castillo hispanic counselor