Vocational Rehabilitation Advisor

Veronica Y. Estala-Gutierrez, Ph.D.

Dr. Veronica Y. Estala-Gutierrez is a program Lecturer and the Director of the Rehabilitation Services Clinical Teaching Laboratory at the University of Texas at El Paso. She received her PhD in Counseling Education and Rehab Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from UTEP. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with certificates from the University of North Texas in Job Skills Training, Job Coaching/Placement, and Supported Employment. Her dissertation, Barriers to Employment as Experienced by Hispanics with Physical Disability and Limited English Proficiency, centers on employment barriers in the Hispanic population. Her other research areas are competitive employment for the transitioning youth, diversity in the workplace, and traumatic brain injuries.

Dr. Estala-Gutierrez’ professional work experience is a Vocational Rehab Counselor with Transition Youth students and an Early Intervention Specialist for children with disabilities. Her active teaching assignments include Professional Issues, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Diversity in Disability Across the Lifespan, Career Placement, and Rehab Counseling Theory. She also is the Practicum and Internship supervisor, advisor for the Student Rehab Counseling Organization and is fluent in English and Spanish. Veronica has been teaching in the Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling program at UTEP since 2018.