What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
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.
In what ways have your personal experiences influenced your work with your clients?
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.
What does success look like in therapy? How will a client know that they are making progress?
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.
Specialties
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Addiction
Regular involvement with a substance or activity in a compulsive, hard to control way that often has harmful consequences. Often refers to substance use, but can include compulsive behaviors such as sex, gambling, or shopping.
Bipolar disorder
Characterized by alternating symptoms of depression and mania. During more extreme episodes, depression may lead to the point of suicidal ideation and attempts while extreme bouts of mania are marked by impulsive behavior, lack of sleep, elevated esteem, and even psychosis.
Mood disorders
Mood disorder is a broad term used to include the different types of depressive and bipolar disorders, all of which affect mood. With a mood disorder, your moods may range from extremely low to extremely high or irritable.
General Expertise
Careers
Designed to help people choose, change, or leave a career at any stage of life. Careers are often wrapped up in people’s perceived identity, therefore, any change can cause anxiety and/or depression.
Work Stress
Workplace issues are a common source of stress and can include interpersonal conflict, communication problems, gossip, harassment, discrimination, low motivation and job satisfaction, performance issues, and poor job fit.
Loss/Grief
Grief is a reaction to an emotionally significant loss and often comes with symptoms of depression or anxiety. These symptoms can remain intense and last for a long time after a loss, making it difficult to move forward with a healthy lifestyle.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety or social phobia is fear of social situations or a fear of interacting with people other than close friends and family. Social anxiety can be persistent, intense, and debilitating, greatly affecting daily life.
Fees
$150
First Session
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Parents
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Training / Certifications
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Matrix Model Intensive Outpatient Key Supervisor
Matrix Model Intensive Outpatient Provider
Clinical Supervision
Ethics in Counseling
Alcohol & Substance Abuse Treatment Conferences
Cultural Competency
Licensure
NM, LPCC, CCMH0177551
Education
Master of Arts - Counseling, Eastern New Mexico University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Associates of General Studies
Work History
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.
Location
Remote Therapy, Albuquerque, 87112, NM