About Dr. Zachary Trevino

I know what it means to be the one who goes first.

I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist, a father, a professor, a third-generation Mexican American, and the first in my family to graduate from college.

A lot of the men I work with grew up the way I did — taught to work hard, protect the people you love, and keep your problems to yourself. Those lessons carried our families a long way. They can also leave you exhausted, disconnected, or stuck in patterns you never chose. My job is to help you keep what’s worth keeping and set down what isn’t.

With couples, I bring a family-systems lens: where we look at the cycle you get caught in together, where it came from, and how to step out of it.

First Generation Healer

First Generation Healer is the heart of my work: support for people who are the first in their families to seek help — and for those who are the first to offer it. Going first can feel lonely. It doesn’t have to.

Credentials & Training

Phd, Couple & Family Therapy, Texas Tech University

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Texas

Educator & Director of Clinical Training, Antioch University Seattle

AAMFT Approved Supervisor & Texas Approved Supervisor

Journal Publications

Trevino, Z. R., Marroquin, C., Fife, S., Williams, T., Nordfelt, R., & Gomes, A. (2024). Childhood sexual abuse and couple relationships: A grounded theory on healing. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 52(3), 352–368. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2023.2198151

Trevino, Z. R., Mullet, N., Hawkins, L. G., Guzman, A., & Garcia, M. S. (2024). Modern challenges of individuals in interracial relationships in a racialized society: A thematic analysis. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 52(4), 448–466. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2023.2272915

Guzmán, A. L., Pate, K. D., Lau, H. I., Trevino, Z. R., & Fife, S. (2024). Clinician experiences of discrimination: A heuristic phenomenology pilot study. Contemporary Family Therapy, 46(2), 204–215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-023-09678-5

Hung, Y.-H., Miles, A., Trevino, Z., D’Aniello, C., Wood, H., Bishop, A., & Monshad, Z. (2023). BIPOC experiences of racial trauma on TikTok: A qualitative content analysis. Contemporary Family Therapy, 45(3), 298–308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-023-09669-6

Lauricella, D., Trevino, Z. R., Marroquin, C., Fife, S. T., & D’Aniello-Heyda, C. (2024). Winning together: In-session change with chronically conflictual couples. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 52(5), 552–574. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2023.2301543

Janes, E. E., Trevino, Z. R., Koehl, H., & Hung, Y.-H. (2023). Internal family systems and spirituality: Implications for supervision. Contemporary Family Therapy, 45(2), 218–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-021-09625-2

Lauricella, D., Silva, M., Trevino, Z., Romero, R., & Soloski, K. L. (2021). Working with Latinx populations: Applying culture to promote change. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 33(2), 178–203. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952833.2021.1880184

Adu, Y., Cox, C. T., Hernandez, E. J., Zhu, C., Trevino, Z., & MacKay, B. J. (2024). Psychology of nerve injury, repair, and recovery: A systematic review. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 5, 1421704. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2024.1421704

Pierce, J., Trevino, Z., Wagner, K., & Osterbauer, M. (2024). Le sparatorie nelle scuole negli Stati Uniti. Considerazioni sistemiche. Terapia Familiare, 47(134), 57–74. https://doi.org/10.3280/TF2024-134005

Features & Awards

Doctoral Dissertation Award

Journal of Marriage & Family Therapy Award

Frances Fowler Wallace Memorial Award

Meet the Team

Shelby Cargill

Shelby is a graduate clinical intern providing services under the supervision of Dr. Zach Trevino, PhD, LMFT-S

Shelby holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Sociology from West Texas A&M University and is pursuing a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University. She has extensive experience walking alongside survivors of sexual abuse. As a former foster parent, she has also supported families in the foster care system.

Shelby’s approach to therapy is client-centered. It rests on empathy, respect and the belief that each person is the expert on their own life. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients reframe unhelpful thoughts. Clients can expect to feel heard and to be guided toward their own solutions. She offers compassionate support and holds space for healing.

Outside of work, Shelby enjoys time with her husband, children and dogs, as well as sporting events, concerts and family trips.

Education:

Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work and Sociology, West Texas A&M

In Training:

Master’s Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy, Abilene Christian University

Frequently Asked Questions