Meet Practicum Student Adeline Vela

Adeline Vela (she/her), Practicum Student

Practicum Student under the supervision of La Junta “Micki” Rios (#69496)

Welcome Adeline into your sessions

My name is Adeline Vela (she/her), and I am currently a Practicum student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Our Lady of the Lake University. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology, from Texas State University in 2021. I have a passion for understanding people and supporting them as they navigate life’s challenges and work toward meaningful growth.

I have a background as a Qualified Mental Health Professional supporting individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. Through this experience, I have strengthened my skills in communication, empathy, advocacy, and adapting my approach to meet each individual’s unique needs. This work has also helped me continue developing the cultural humility and competence that I bring into counseling practice.

I welcome the opportunity to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, family and relationship challenges, and life transitions. I am interested in working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups. Following graduation, I plan to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

My interest in psychology and counseling began at a young age and has grown from a curiosity about how our experiences, relationships, and backgrounds shape who we are. I strive to provide a warm, empathetic, and nonjudgmental space where clients can feel comfortable being themselves and exploring the experiences that matter most to them. I approach counseling from a person-centered and multiculturally responsive perspective, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community through providing free counseling services as a practicum student.