Eric LujanLPCC

The most important thing that I want people I am working with to know about me is that I am human too. I put my socks on one foot at a time and I have had to reach out for help as well. I am not the definitive authority on mental health and addiction but I am knowledgeable about my field: There may be times that I may not have an answer, but I will work with a client to find the answer and make sure it is the correct answer.

My personal experiences in life have added a depth to my practice that is not learned in school. My experiences have allowed me the opportunity to have a deeper empathy with clients, which helps them to feel heard and understood.

Success in therapy is not something that is measured the same for everyone. Taking a person-centered approach to therapy means that every client's success will look different. For some, it may be significant change, and for others it could be something as simple as being able to go to the grocery store or having one less drink per day. Clients do not always recognize these things as progress, so reflection with their provider about their growth and progress is an important factor in helping clients recognize their own progress and growth.

• New Mexico, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, CCMH0177551

I began my career as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with Mental Health Resources, Inc. in Tucumcari, NM. I worked there for two and a half years during which time I became familiar with Community Mental Health Services, Addictions therapy, and group psychoeducation facilitation. This was where my passion for inclusion of artistic expression in treatment began. After completion of my cumulative supervised hours, I left MHR and transitioned to the New Mexico Rehabilitation Center in Roswell, NM to work in the Chemical Dependency Unit. During that time, I experienced work in an inpatient substance abuse treatment facility, providing both individual and group education. I also held the position of IOP supervisor, for the outpatient services. Although I enjoyed that job, I chose to relocate to Albuquerque, NM to pursue work with another agency after the State of New Mexico Financial Committee cut funding to the Chemical Dependency Unit, shutting down its operations. Back in Albuquerque, NM I worked briefly for an agency as the Chemical Dependency Program Lead Clinician. My focus was to help the owner to write and develop a New Mexico Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) application. At that time, I transitioned to Shadow Mountain Recovery Center in Albuquerque, NM to work in the 30 day inpatient substance abuse recovery program providing both individual services and group education as well as overseeing an intern. I left Shadow Mountain to pursue work back in the outpatient area of treatment and became employed with The Evolution Group. I began as a counselor and was tasked with development of a new division in the agency directed at working with misdemeanor court referral cases, primarily first time DWI Offenders. During this time, the pandemic emerged and transition to remote therapy using telehealth video and phone sessions began. As the program grew, through referrals from the courts, I was promoted to Program Coordinator and assigned two non-independently licensed providers to supervise as well as one intern. Additionally, I was tasked with revamping and updating the agency IOP program as well as oversight of the NM Medicaid audit to ensure a passing score. I was assigned additional tasks related to Quality Assurance as well, including development of the staff training calendar, development of trainings, as well as identifying and implementing a program specific to ASAM Level .5 Early Services criteria. Upon receiving approval for the program identified and selected, I was tasked with development of a modification for the program to be offered via televideo services. During this time, family obligations began to become more important than the administrative side of my job and working in a minimal part time fashion with the agency was not an option. I made the decision to pursue my own agency that would allow me the opportunity to provide individual therapy as I am able and I selected Choosing Therapy to help me continue to provide services via a televideo platform.