Providers/Therapists/Counselors

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  We all attempt to understand where our beliefs, feelings, and habits are coming from, but connecting the dots alone can be confusing and frustrating. I provide the supportive and non-judgmental environment you need to comfortably process your attitudes, assumptions and expectations about the world around you. I will approach our work together with empathy, curiosity, and a sincere interest in your emotional well-being. Our therapeutic alliance will enable you to cultivate new perspectives and promote increased insight. Together, we can explore the many layers of your unique self, and gain a deeper understanding of how your thoughts, emotions and behaviors are interconnected.

Effective psychotherapy is scientific in analysis and approach, yet highly personalized to each client, situation and context.  I approach emotional challenges from an integrated framework of humanistic psychology, and utilizing cognitive-behavioral applications. My process is depth-oriented, with a focus on inter-relational models; going beyond simply employing coping techniques to reduce symptoms, but examining and addressing the root causes of your distress. My style is open, direct, accepting and patient, with a focus on presence and immediacy.  

In conducting assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, I draw from my experience in psychiatric hospital, mental health agency and integrated care settings, to serve my clients in private practice. I have additional expertise in adolescent populations, attachment modalities, and trauma informed care. As a National Certified Counselor (NCC), I am among the elite group of board certified counselors who offer the highest standards of practice because we have met stringent education, examination performance, supervision, experience, and ethical requirements.

Therapy can open the door to increased self-awareness, healing, and personal growth. Don’t just survive…thrive!

Hello my name is Stephanie, I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New Mexico. I am bilingual counselor working with both Spanish and English with adults, adolescents, children, and groups in a school setting, as well as in, hospital inpatient and outpatient treatment. When making the decision to seek counseling I understand that each person comes with their own unique experience. I feel the counseling relationship is meant to honor such experiences, perspectives, and ambitions through a thoughtful collaboration between counselor and client. I feel that this aspect of counseling can help to resolve my clients’ specific concerns, and it enables them to think beyond mere problem solving. Working with some issues and making changes can be challenging and every individual moves at a different pace. Counseling takes time that varies from person to person, but together we can work towards the changes you want to make. I take a more person-centered approach and you are in control of the counseling relationship. 

Hello, my name is Jessica Gassdorf. I have been a licensed mental health counselor in NM since 2020. Choosing a counselor can be difficult and looking at making change can be an intimidating process, especially in the beginning. My goal is to try to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for your journey to a better and healthier you. Everyone's process is different, and every individual is different which is why I work to take a person-centered and integrative approach with each client.  I have focused most of my career on working with those who have struggled with adjusting to new life situations and/or stressors, low self-esteem, lack of motivation, depression, anxiety, trauma as well as addiction. I work with client's to not only talk out the things they are struggling with or wanting to change, but also making some of the changes by learning, or refining, healthy boundaries and coping strategies. Together we will work on trying to uncover any root issues and working on a deeper understanding of how to manage day to day life. 

Hello, my name is Crystal Portillo, LMHC. I received my degree in Forensic Psychology in Los Angeles, at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I have worked in school settings and in psychiatric inpatient facilities, treating individuals struggling with a variety of issues ranging from stress, anger management, anxiety, depression and mood disorders. Most of my pre-private practice experience has been at a partial hospitalization program incorporated as a step-down program from psychiatric hospitalizations. My clinical focus is on treating mental health issues with co-occurring substance dependency/addiction; utilizing the matrix model, dialectical behavioral therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy approaches. I integrate these constructs, within a person-centered approach to treatment, as effective therapy should never be a one size fits all approach.

Many struggle with addiction and maladaptive coping patterns. They can impact multiple facets of one's life; work, socialization, familial relationships, and much more. It is essential to know that no one starts using substances to become an addict, and I want to be there on your journey to begin living the life you want, and the one you deserve to live.

Hello my name is Nicole Harvey-Navarro, and I am an LMHC therapist with my degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from New Mexico State University. I have worked in many different practice types, to include schools, psychiatric facilities, and outpatient individual settings. My clinical focus is centered around cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT) as well as mindfulness- based approaches. I work primarily with adult populations who have difficulties with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, anger management, co-occurring disorders with substance use, mood, and interpersonal difficulties. It is important to recognize not everyone fits into one particular box, and adjusting my approach to fit client needs is something I strive for.  

Hello my name Maureen Colligan and I am an Independently Licensed Clinical Counselor whom has been residing in Southern New Mexico since 2016. I was raised in small city in upstate New York, where I earned my Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and then a Master’s Degree in Humanistic Education. Shortly after receiving my Master’s Degree, I continued my studies earning a Credentialed Addiction and Substance Abuse Counseling License. In 2011, I completed a second Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, and I am working towards completion of my Doctorate degree in Healthcare Administration.

I entered the United States Army Reserves while in college, working short tours of active duty, and was honorably discharged in 1987. I have worked as an advocate for persons with disabilities, and as an addiction counselor for over 20 years in outpatient, inpatient, and detoxification treatment settings. I am currently seeing clients with unresolved trauma and PTSD, eating disorders, mood disorders, pet loss grief, and those experiencing family or marital Conflict. I see individuals, adolescents (over age 12), and Couples. My primary approach to counseling is from a Cognitive Behavioral perspective, but I incorporate Brainspotting Phase 1, and use a client driven eclectic approach with each person. 

Hello everyone, my name is Kitty. I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, which definitely gives me a unique perspective in the counseling field. I also have quite a bit of life experiences which is a wonderful asset to my counseling repertoire. There has been a bit of trauma in my life, which I have overcome and have gotten to the other side. This is my ace card, for who better to help someone than someone who has been there. 

I have extensive experience with several types of mental health issues, and my primary expertise is working with trauma/PTSD, depression, substance abuse and addiction. I have practiced in many different settings, including residential with active-duty Military, psychiatric hospitals, prisons, community agencies, and private practice. I have worked with many different populations, specializing in adolescents, the military, and members of the LGBTQ community. I have learned a great deal. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and that is my background, which provides me a broader perspective. I chose to get my Master’s in Social Work when I was working as a Juvenile Probation Officer and the kids needed more help, and I wanted to do more. 

I employ an integrative clinical approach; utilizing different modalities to adapt to what best fits the client, including, but not limited to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (with active-duty Military for PTSD), Person-Centered and Interpersonal Process.

Hello, my name is Ruth Wagner, and I am a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), dedicated to providing compassionate and culturally sensitive therapy services to clients in both English and Spanish.

I believe that mental health is essential to overall well-being and that therapy can be a powerful tool for achieving it. My approach is client-centered while working collaboratively with clients, children, adolescents, and adults. Whether you are dealing with life transitions or stressful situations, you’ve lost yourself, there is low self-esteem, feel unmotivated, depression, anxiety, and trauma, I am here to work with you in understanding, and meeting your unique needs and goals to move past the obstacles that prevent you from living a happier life.

I draw from a variety of evidence-based interventions, including therapeutic art techniques, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where my clients can feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and emotions.

As a bilingual therapist, I am committed to helping individuals who may feel more comfortable expressing themselves in their native language. I understand that language can be a barrier to accessing mental health services, and I am dedicated to bridging that gap. I look forward to working with you and supporting you on your journey toward mental health and well-being.