Providers

Izuchukwu M. Emejulu

PMHNP-BC

Mr. Izuchukwu Emejulu also known as "Mac" is a nationally credentialed and board certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Mac has a Master of Science degree in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing from University of South Alabama with certification to treat children, adolescents, and adults. He recently obtained an additional specialization as a DEA certified Buprenorphine practitioner with vast knowledge and experience in treating patients with opioid use disorders.

Prior to his graduate training, he worked as a psychiatric registered nurse in various mental health facilities in and around the Houston area, primarily with low-income adults struggling with substance use and severe mental and physical health issues. He has been with Atlantis Health Services since April of 2017.

Mac believes that devotion to each individual’s exceptional experience cultivates an atmosphere that encourages individual growth and healing. He is committed in constructing compassionate, accommodating and non-judgmental surroundings that cherish every consumer’s potential for best possible health and happiness. He believes that the most successful treatment is tailored treatment, which is built upon an authentic appreciation of the consumer’s history, and individual standards. With this understanding, Mac aspires to partner with you to create a treatment plan that holistically focuses your distinctive needs, both for short-term symptom management and for long-term change.

EUGENIO CHAVEZ-RICE

M.D.

Dr. Eugenio Chavez-Rice is a well respected physician providing services at Atlantis Health Services and Amanecer Health Systems (AHS). He has vast experience and has dedicated a long time in treating mental health disorders by assisting individuals with many different needs and challenges.

Dr. Rice began his career in medicine while in Mexico City where he worked for 4 years. After this time he started practicing in the United States where he has worked in outpatient and inpatient programs for the past 40 years. He has been devoted to the Community of El Paso, where he has worked at MHMR as a Staff Psychiatrist and as the Director of Research in 2004 by leading LUNESTA research projects. In 1997, he was the Clinical Director of The El Paso State Center where he was in charge of developing program plans and administrative functions.

In the academic sphere, Dr. Rice has worked as an instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School while teaching students Forensic and Neuropsychiatry and as an Assistant Professor of Community Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine where he was teaching and supervising medical students. Generally speaking, Dr. Rice has been devoted as a practitioner, an academician and researcher. As a Psychiatrist, he has been enormously passionate to promote recovery on mental illnesses to different cohorts including children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. He is enthusiastic and proud of being part of AHS.

Mario Gutierrez

PMHNP-BC

Mario Gutierrez is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BS) graduated from Eastern Kentucky University. Additionally, he graduated with a Master of Education and with two Bachelors of Science in Nursing and Biology.

Mr. Gutierrez earlier was an elementary school teacher and also worked for 7 years in a local hospital as a Registered Nurse where he assisted in Intermediate and Intensive care units. Later, he developed a passion for mental health and was committed to assist people with these challenges when he started working at El Paso Psychiatric Center where he provided inpatient care services for over 4 years.

Currently, he is devoted to assist veterans with mental health conditions as well as other sectors of the adult population in El Paso, TX. He has been working in Outpatient mental health Programs ever since 2008 and has been part of Atlantis Health Services’ since 2018. Mr. Gutierrez is dedicate and enthusiastic; he conducts patients’ assessment, provides medication management and encourage his clients to improve on their overall health through health promotion and preventive care as well as providing treatment for Substance Abuse.

Frank Castillo

Psy.D., LPC, LMSW

Dr. Frank Castillo is a Doctor of Psychology; Licensed Professional Counselor; and Licensed Master of Social Work. Dr. Castillo graduated from Southern California University with a Doctor of Psychology; Our Lady of the Lake University with a Master Degree in Social Work; and University of Texas at El Paso with an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Social Work.

Dr. Castillo is now into his 40 years of counseling and Dr. Castillo was in private practice for 20 years. Dr. Castillo has been involved in other counseling employment including Region Education Center/Head Start Program; Texas Health Program; Texas Rehabilitation Commission; Providence Memorial Hospital; San Antonio Medical Center; El Paso University Behavioral Health; El Paso Renal Dialysis clinics; and other El Paso counseling clinics.

Dr. Castillo’s specialty is in Adult Mental Health counseling including Depression; Anxiety; and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder; Personality disorder; Schizophrenia; and Schizoaffective Disorder. Dr. Castillo proudly has been providing counseling with Atlantis Health Services for over 5 years.

LAURA A. CEPEDA

LPC, LCDC

Laura Cepeda is a proud El Paso Native with bilingual fluency in English and Spanish. She attended the University of Texas at El Paso graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 2006 and Webster University graduating with a Masters in Counseling in 2009. Laura became licensed as a Professional Counselor and Chemical Dependency Counselor and since becoming licensed has worked with children as young as five, at risk youth, and adults in various settings to include inpatient services, residential treatment, outpatient treatment, in home services and private practice. During her clinical supervision, Laura gained skills and practice in expressive arts along with play therapy, sand tray therapy, and art therapy. Laura also received training in Multisystemic Therapy. Laura’s passion lies in assisting others to reach their goals in various life domains, including education and rehabilitation for individuals suffering from substance use and mental health disorders.

Laura has worked for several agencies in El Paso to include Dismas Charities, The West Texas Community Supervision and Corrections Department, The Counseling Center of Expressive Arts, The El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department and Emergence Health Network.

Ms. Cepeda began working with Dr. Vanderpool and Atlantis Health Services in August 2018. She understands seeking help may not be easy; however, she is committed to provide professional services with creative therapeutic approaches focused on you as an individual. Laura believes every client is unique to their emotional healing experiences.

MALEAH GRIGGS

LMSW

Maleah Griggs grew up in Colorado, where she attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. During her time there she volunteered at Chinook Clubhouse, a community clubhouse for those suffering from severe and pervasive mental health disorders. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, double-majoring in Psychology and Sociology.

Following her undergraduate education, Maleah went on to get her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas, in Lawrence, Kansas. To do so, she completed two years of practicum experience. She first completed 480 hours working in child welfare helping to reintegrate children with their families. Her second placement required 720 hours working as an Addiction Counselor in an outpatient facility. In that placement, Maleah was responsible for conducting assessments, treatment planning, individual counseling, and facilitating both adolescent and adult treatment groups. She also facilitated monthly, eight hour Alcohol and Drug Information classes to those mandated by the courts.

Since her master’s program, Maleah obtained her Master of Social Work License (LMSW) first in Kansas, and then in Texas. She went on to work as a Case Manager, and eventually the Housing Navigator at The Salvation Army in Austin. She moved to El Paso in 2017, and began working with Dr. Vanderpool and Atlantis Health Services in early 2018. Helping those recovering from addiction is her passion, and she is genuine in her motivation to help her clients find lasting recovery.

Tala Ibrahim

LPC

Tala Ibrahim is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), practicing in the State of Texas. Ms. Ibrahim graduated with a Bachelor in Political Science and a Minor in Philosophy from University of California, Riverside. Completing her Master Degree, she found her vocation as therapist. She graduated with an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Eastern New Mexico University. In addition to being licensed to practice in Texas, Ms. Ibrahim is also licensed in New Mexico, and Arkansas. Ms. Ibrahim has over 9 years of experience in counseling children and at risk adolescents, as well as adults in forensic and outpatient settings.

Ms. Ibrahim's clinical counseling expertise offers clients a unique perspective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sexual abuse and childhood trauma, job-related difficulties and relationship related issues, individual/personal coaching, life transitions, as well as, clients looking to resolve unfinished business and elevate quality of life. Ms. Ibrahim professional experience ranges from counseling services in mental health outpatient programs, to School counseling and Mental Health treatment to inmates in Prison settings. She has been part of Atlantis Health Services’ team since 2017, where she delivers individual counseling for adults ages 18 and older.

Grecia Garcia

LPC

Grecia Garcia is a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in the state of Texas. Ms. Garcia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso and with a Master of Arts in Counseling from Webster University and has over 10 years of experience as a Clinician assisting individuals with mental health struggles in the Community of El Paso. Her professional expertise includes providing treatment for children, adolescents and adults with Post-traumatic stress disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse.

In addition, she treats OCD, ODD and ADHD among many other mental health disorders. She has also worked in inpatient and outpatient program throughout her career giving her the opportunity to work with different clients in group and individual settings. She has been proudly working at Atlantis Health Services since 2014 where she delivers individual counseling for adults ages 18 and older.

Roel Lopez

Lead Case Manager

Roel Lopez is a dedicated Case Manager that coordinates the overall plan of care for patients with mild to moderate emotional and behavioral problems. Oversees patient evaluation and treatment planning, and monitors patient progress, adjusting treatment plans as necessary.

Roel Lopez educational background includes a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso, and is currently enrolled in a MA program for Gerontology at The University of Southern California.

Lenda Amezcua

Lenda Amezcua has been working at Atlantis Health Services since June of 2018 as a case worker. She is dedicated to provide services by helping children, adolescents and by providing psychosocial rehabilitation intervention. Through this program, she assists consumers with coping skills, educating consumer of services available within the community and advocating for their mental health.

Ms. Amezcua obtained her B.A in Psychology at the University of Texas at El Paso and is eager to continue pursuing her education and obtain her Masters in Social Work focusing on Mental Health.

Marlene Arrellanes

Marlene Arellanes has been employed at Atlantis Health Services as a Caseworker since January 2018. Ms. Arellanes has been working with Children & Adults providing skills training to nourish their knowledge about their mental health illness and to assist with their recovery through Skills Training and Psychosocial and Rehabilitative services.

Currently Ms. Arellanes is a Case Manger at Amancer Health Systems assisting patients to meet their needs by linking them to the proper resources. Ms. Arellanes has a Bachelor in Social Work and plans to obtain her Masters in Social Work specializing in Mental Health. Meanwhile she plans to continue working in assisting with the awareness of mental health in this population.