Employee Assistance Program Staff
Laquita "Laila" Cooper, LCSW
Program Manager
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Laila is a skilled mental health clinician, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board-Approved Supervisor for the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners with more than 15 years of experience providing services to children, adolescents, adults, and families including:
- Anger management
- Behavior modification
- Family systems
- Crime victim services
- Crisis intervention
- Family violence
- Abuse
- Trauma
- Psychiatric assessment
- Treatment and diagnosis
- Psychotherapy
- Mental health disorders
- Training
- Supervision
- Program development
Laila has worked in numerous settings including:
- Private practice
- Community mental health
- Law enforcement
- Social services
- Hospital systems
- Psychiatric facilities
- Military installations (Texas Army National Guard)
- Managed care
Laila provides individual, group, marriage, and family counseling.
Education and Military
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice – The University of Texas at Arlington
- Master of Science in Social Work – The University of Texas at Arlington
- Texas Army National Guard – (honorably discharged after eight years of service)
Tamyra Lawson, LCSW
EAP Specialist
Tamyra.Lawson@UTSouthwestern.edu
Tamyra is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 10 years of experience helping children, adolescents, adults, couples, and conducting group therapy. She has worked in Child Protective Services (Investigations), inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, law enforcement, emergency crisis intervention, outpatient medical clinics, hospitals, and schools. Tamyra is a skilled mental health clinician with professional experience including:
- Children/adolescent psychotherapy
- Crisis intervention
- Domestic violence
- Child/adult abuse and neglect
- Psychiatric treatment and diagnosing
- Suicide intervention
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorders
- Life transitions
- Maladaptive adjustment
- Anger management
- Managed care
- Case management
When Tamyra is not working, she enjoys visiting family, traveling, or just hanging out with her husband and daughter.
Education
- Bachelor of Education – Nicholls State University
- Master of Science in Social Work – University of Texas at Arlington
Sean Maybery, LPC, LCDC
EAP Specialist
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Sean is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor with more than five years of experience working with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health concerns, and substance use issues in multiple settings including community mental health, substance use treatment facilities, and private practice.
Sean provides group, individual, and couples counseling to adults and adolescents and is eager to help clients with issues such as:
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety
- Life transitions
- Grief and loss
- Suicidal ideation
- Relationship concerns
- Anger management
Having completed Safe Space training, Sean helps clients who identify as LGBTQ.
When he is not at work, Sean enjoys spending time with his wife and two dogs.
Education
- Bachelor of Science – Spring Hill College
- Master of Arts in Counseling – St. Edward’s University
Brooke Powell, LPC
EAP Specialist
Brooke.Powell@UTSouthwestern.edu
Brooke is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than seven years of experience as a crisis and clinical counselor. She has worked at non-profit, community health, telehealth, and law enforcement agencies, treating individuals with a variety of issues including:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Trauma and abuse
- Depression
- Burnout
Brooke has vast knowledge and training helping people experiencing family violence and assisting individuals in the LGBT+ community. Away from work Brooke spends time with family and enjoys a good cup of hot coffee.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology – Tarleton State University
- Master of Science in Counseling Psychology – Tarleton State University
Martha Santillan, LCSW
EAP Specialist
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Martha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience providing services to Spanish- and English-speaking adults, children, adolescents, and families, both in person and remotely. She prides herself on helping individuals experiencing a variety of challenges including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief and loss
- PTSD
- Caregiving challenges
- Relationship concerns
- Suicidal ideation
In her spare time, Martha enjoys movies and Netflix, spending time with her loved ones, and attempting to crochet.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Sociology – The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Master of Science in Social Work – The Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas
David Terpstra, LPC, LMFT
EAP Specialist
David.Terpstra@UTSouthwestern.edu
David is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 21 years of experience working as a counselor in private practice, psychiatric hospitals, and community agencies in the Dallas area. He has worked with individuals, couples, and families on a variety of issues, including:
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Anger control
- Grief and loss
- Marriage and divorce
- Life transitions
- Self-esteem
- Co-dependency
- Family concerns
- Conflict resolution
David has presented to groups ranging from five to 2,000 on multiple topics and excels in sharing patients’ journeys of healing, change, and life success.
In his personal life, David enjoys time with family, hiking/camping, exercising, global news, and good coffee.
Education
- Master of Science in Counseling – University of North Texas
- Bachelor of Arts in English Literature – Bethel University
- Master of Divinity – Princeton Seminary
April Wilder, LCSW
EAP Specialist
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April is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 12 years of experience in social work, having worked in a variety of practice settings including:
- Psychiatric hospitals
- Mental health outpatient programs
- Mobile crisis teams
- Substance abuse treatment centers
- Dallas Independent School District
April has extensive experience providing individual and group counseling to patients from all walks and stages of life on subject matters such as:
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety
- Stress management
- Suicidal ideation
- Anger management
- Relationship difficulty
- Constructive communication
- Grief and loss
- Personality disorders
- Adjustment issues
- Life transitions
- Assertiveness and boundaries
- Self-worth
- Co-dependency
April has lectured to graduate-level social work students and colleagues and enjoys the opportunity to impart and receive knowledge that contributes to quality-of-life improvements.
Outside of serving others, April enjoys time with her family, cooking, UFC, and college football.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Social Welfare – Dillard University
- Master of Social Work – University of Michigan
Questions about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
Employee Assistance Program
214-648-5330