DR. JOSE A. CHOLULA BRUNO, MA, EdD

My own life is a story of continual setbacks and failures that taught me to work harder and aim higher. As an immigrant, I learned resilience by having to overcome numerous cultural barriers in a new country. When I first moved to the US and was assessed for academics, I was placed with students with disabilities due to having chronic anxiety as well as facing a language barrier. I was determined to overcome these challenges, however, so I made up my mind to learn English proficiently, get good grades, and excel in sports. 

I wound up becoming one of the top runners in the nation. I also earned a full-ride undergrad university scholarship as well as a master’s degree and a doctorate. Today, I run my own counseling practice in Santa Ana and facilitate a nonprofit youth running team that includes many of the best runners in the US. My journey has shown me what’s possible through resilience and hard work, and I want to help others reap the same rewards. 

My Journey As A Therapist Is Shaped By My Academic And Athletic Background 

The field of counseling found me. I didn’t initially know what I wanted to do with my future, but as I learned more about psychology, I was drawn to the idea of helping others. The concept of offering tools and strategies to those in need resonated with me deeply.

During my undergraduate studies, I discovered a strong passion for helping people from diverse backgrounds. In particular, I wanted to support the Hispanic and Latino community, since they often didn’t have access to providers they could culturally connect with. I wanted to be someone they could relate to and feel empowered by.

Additionally, my background as an athlete has deeply impacted my perspective on mental health. I used to think mental health and sports were completely separate—but now I know they’re deeply connected. When I was young, I struggled with performance anxiety during many of my races, and this motivated me to seek mental health support.

Today, I have a Level 2 Coaching Certification in USA Track & Field in addition to my counseling credentials. This blend makes me unique: I combine clinical and athletic insights in my work with clients, which is especially helpful for those with sports-related stress.

My Approach To The Healing Process: Clinically Effective and Culturally Sensitive 

As a therapist, I’m passionate about supporting individuals and families who are looking to manage the stressors that affect their daily functioning and family dynamics. My areas of specialization include anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting, ADHD, grief and loss, and sports performance.

I’m certified in a wide range of evidence-based treatments, including The Gottman Method, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I’m also capable of providing psychological evaluations for diagnostic clarity, using a variety of assessment tools tailored to clients’ needs. 

Having moved to the US from Mexico at the age of ten, I bring a unique cultural perspective to counseling that helps me connect with clients struggling to navigate bicultural experiences. All of the counseling methods I use are selected with both cultural sensitivity and clinical effectiveness in mind, and my practice has an abundance of Spanish-speaking therapists on staff. 

Who I Am Outside Of Therapy

Outside of my work at Cholula Psychological Services, community involvement is deeply important to me. A few years ago, I founded a small running club that started with three kids. Today, it’s a large nonprofit organization with over 100 young athletes. In 2024, at our track and field national championship, our boys placed third and our girls placed second. We continue to be a source of inspiration and state-of-the-art athletic training for many kids involved in track and field. 

Currently, my mental health clinic collaborates with nonprofits like Magnolia Resource Center and Delhi Center, providing numerous resources to local schools. We collaborate with universities like Concordia University and Chicago Professional School, where we give back to the community by offering training for bilingual (English/Spanish) interns and future mental health providers. 

Above all, I enjoy providing individuals and families with tools that they can easily access and mental health support that is both excellent and affordable. In all that I do, I strive to be a model, a leader, and a provider who truly understands his clients’ cultural strengths and backgrounds. 

Dr. Jose Cholula Bruno is a Licensed Psychologist and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Concordia University, a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Adams State University, and a Doctor of Education in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University.

Dr. Bruno holds certifications in Parent-Child Care (PC-CARE), Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). He is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCPT), Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), ADHD-Certified Clinical Service Provider (ADHD-CCSP), Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist (CAGCS), and Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS). Additionally, Dr. Bruno holds a Level 2 Coaching Certification in USA Track & Field.