Mental Health Support On the Rise in Del Rio. Here Are Some Local Resources You’ll Want to Know About
Updated: Aug 24, 2025
A shift is happening in Del Rio, according to Carmen Gutierrez, city councilwoman and mental health advocate. Gutierrez says she’s witnessing community forces galvanize around fighting a widespread mental health crisis now more than ever before.
“I’ve been doing this for over 20 years with the Community Health Improvement Coalition (CHIC), specifically the Mental Health Committee, and I have seen the change, the shift, especially since January this year.”
Councilwoman Gutierrez is a member of CHIC’s Mental Health Committee, a group of agencies, care providers, and advocates who meet monthly. It’s the mission of the committee to build a local network of mental health support that connects community members to the help they need.
“All the agencies are coming together to support each other,” Gutierrez continued, “and make sure our community is aware of resources available — [sometimes] for free.”
At Mental Health Committee meetings, government agencies like Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office — who often process persons experiencing a mental health crisis — connect with care providers to guide those needing help directly to a professional or a support group. Activity from Del Rio’s mental health advocacy community is surging as the number of licensed providers grows and wellness specializations diversify in Del Rio.
On Tuesday, the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony for MYS Counseling, a therapy and counseling provider with 8 locations from Houston to Eagle Pass — and now Del Rio.
Ricky Ertell, MYS founding partner and Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, boasts support available at MYS, like psychiatric services and testing, that have historically required travel to San Antonio for Del Rio residents to receive.
“We found out that people have been driving all the way to San Antonio to get these tests, and then pay a lot of money. We do it for a small fraction of what they charge,” Ertell said at MYS’ ribbon cutting event.
MYS is the latest addition to an influx of mental health professionals practicing in Del Rio as of late with 4 on-location LPCs now offering a range of counseling modalities.
From behavioral and substance use disorders, to active crisis intervention, here’s what you’ll want to know about the diversity of mental health resources you can find in Del Rio.
(830)265-8255
906 E 11th St Suite #2
“Enabling individuals to reach their full potential in body, mind, and spirit”
WTCG is a non-profit organization of thoroughly trained and educated counselors that offers a sliding-scale cost system and payment assistance to ensure that anyone seeking mental health treatment should receive it regardless of their ability to pay.
WTCG provides therapy and counseling.
2 noteworthy kinds of support from WTCG:
Expedited Crisis Intervention. Designed for anyone experiencing an active mental health crisis, like overwhelming anxiety or suicidal ideation, this program ensures someone in crisis the ability see an LPC within 24-48 hours of calling. Crisis care includes 3 face-to-face sessions free of charge, and involves developing a personal safety plan for the client in stages over the course of the free sessions.
Veterans Services. Handled by retired U.S. Marine Celso Barrientos, veteran services can involve anything a vet might need including housing, food, and the most basic life-line of having a caring case-worker, and fellow vet, to checking in with. Many success stories come from Barrientos’ work, including housing homeless vets, providing free groceries, and connecting them to critical mental wellness resources.
In Del Rio, WTCG employs 3 LPCs and 2 LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). Here, counselors are trained to address a wide range of diagnoses and traumas in clients including anxiety, depression, grief, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and more.
“Ultimately, we don’t want someone to miss out on getting the help they need just because of cost” - WTCG
For all kinds of care at WTCG, including crisis care and veterans services, call (830)265-8255.
(830)422-2020
125 Foster Drive
“Creating Stronger communities by empowering people”
SCAN specializes in substance use intervention and caregiver-child relationships.
2 Noteworthy kinds of Support from SCAN
Substance Use intervention. SCAN specialists assess and refer clients who struggle with drug use to different levels of treatment. SCAN operates rehab centers in Laredo which clients may benefit from and find healing at, or a case worker may help find another treatment location for a client depending on insurance.
Parental Mental Health Screenings. Through Project H.O.P.E.S. [link], parents who find themselves struggling with their emotional or mental state can consult SCAN specialists for an assessment of their symptoms and experiences. In Del Rio, Project H.O.P.E.S. case workers are trained to teach parents how to strengthen their relationships with their children aged 0-5 years, and prevent or manage challenging behavior.
SCAN can be reached by phone or at their office Monday - Friday, 8A-5P.
106 Bauer Ave Suite A
979-233-1584
“Turning Turbulence into Tranquility”
With 8 locations throughout Texas and 33,000 patient visits, MYS shows a record of mounting success with their care of underserved communities. In Del Rio, their office consists of 4 LPCs who provide counseling sessions and psychiatric services like ADHD testing.
Most notably, MYS offers their care on a sliding cost scale and even pro bono (free).
“If someone has a need, even if they don’t have the means, we’ll take care of them pro bono. We’re here to serve. It’s not about money for us,” says Rick Ertell of MYS.
1109 Ave K
“There is a solution”
AA is a global network of peer-based alcoholism support groups. Meetings are free and open to anyone who wants to quit alcohol.
In Del Rio, AA is quite an active community and offers meetings at least once a day.
Check out their meeting schedule here. Meetings vary in theme and topic, for example Women’s meetings are on Saturdays at 10A.
Notably, Del Rio’s AA community keeps their relationships tight. On top of daily opportunities to attend a meeting, each month a pot-luck “birthday party” is thrown to which dozens of members bring a dish and celebrate each other’s victories in their sobriety journey.
1109 Ave K
(830) 422-1988
"Hope and the Promise of freedom"
Similar to AA, NA is a space for drug addicts to connect with a program of recovery and form relationships with fellow addicts. In Del Rio, NA is a young but active group. Meetings are once a week, Wednesdays at 7P.
Notably, NA seems to be Del Rio's only addiction support group and will soon begin meeting at the Community Center at 315 E Chapoy Street as their new location.
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