Therapists in New Mexico

Mrs. Trish Montanari, LMHC, CTP holds a Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from New Mexico Highlands University. Her BA is in Criminal Justice. She has studied mental health therapy from a range of perspectives, combining a pragmatic, problem-solving approach with the understanding that some problems are not easily resolved. She has experience as a therapist and an assessor working with children, families, and individuals in the private sector as well as home therapy, groups, and community mental health agencies. While she was completing her undergraduate studies, she counseled youths with behavioral challenges in both delinquent and residential settings. She worked with preadolescent children of sexual abuse and behavioral concerns as well as the family entity. Ms. Montanari has extensive experience in treating personality disorders, paraphilic and other co-occurring disorders such as substance abuse and disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorder. She has worked in diverse population’s enhancing her sensitivity and understanding to help individuals struggling with parents, children, and partners of another culture. Some of the treatment approaches CBT, Reflective Listening, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Play Therapy and Stages of Change. Specific Issues: · Parenting challenges · Personality disorders · Addictive Behaviors · Mood disorders Licensure and/or Certifications: Mental Health Therapy · Anger Management · Crisis Intervention · Motivational Interviewing Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends, and dogs along with activities to ease the mind and body such as traveling, swimming, music, and reading. Her mission is to “provide a safe, relaxed and supportive atmosphere for increasing resolutions to life’s challenges.” Therapy Provided: Individual, Group, Families, Couples Ages Seen: Young children (0-4), Children, Adolescents, Young adults, Adults, Seniors Specializes In: ADHD, Adjustment, Anxiety, Mood disorder, Parenting, Personality disorders, Psychotic disorders, Relational conflicts, Substance Abuse, Trauma disorders. PTSD Crisis, DBT, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Serial Sexual Offenders Credentials: MA - Highlands University

Hello, my name is Karen Kavaloski and I am a LPC in New Mexico, North Carolina and in Missouri. I was originally licensed as a counselor in 2009 while working in Arizona by the State of North Carolina after making a career change from a almost 30 year history in nursing. My passion since I was a young adult was counseling and it took me almost 30 years to achieve my goal of becoming a counselor. I was a Marine wife for almost 30 years and have traveled allot, I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. My youngest, a son, and one of my grandchildren are severely autistic so I can identify with the stress and struggles some families have with managing special needs within their family. I am also a cancer survivor. I believe we all have an ability to heal the body, mind and soul and I consciously strive daily to be an active participant in my life and support and encourage others to do the same. My education beyond my nursing and counseling includes a Masters in Business Administration and a Doctorate in (Christian) Ministries. I have worked primarily over this past 17 years with trauma and substance abuse in the adult population with about 3 years working with the teenage population in these areas. I also have worked about 5 years total with prison reentry and counseling individuals and families with histories of incarceration in state and federal prison. I believe in working with individuals and families to achieve their highest goals. I believe the client is the expert in his/her own life and I fully encourage one to strive to work towards building a strong foundation within themselves and their families whatever that looks like to them, to that end I use focused solution therapy, internal systems therapy, mindfulness/compassion therapy, cognitive and cognitive behavioral, dialectical therapy, emotional freedom techniques and/or neurolinguistic techniques . I am also the author and publisher self help books under my Sacred Self Workbook Series Outside my therapy practice, I spend my leisure time reading. meditation/praying and gardening. I do light exercise daily.

My specialty & love are helping individuals at transition points of their lives, with a focus from Adolescence to Mid-life and beyond. These are times of dealing with many changes in one's life. These changes may include family, friends, and your role in community. This is also a time when we are surrounded with "Transition Myths" i.e.; How we SHOULD be feeling, acting and thinking. Some of these are Memory Loss, Depression, Anxiety, Physical Fitness, Sexuality, and being Neurodivergent! My goals are to educate and separate myth from fact while helping YOU ease life's transitions so YOU can continue YOUR life with new hopes and dreams, respect and dignity. Each person is UNIQUE! Issues are NOT AGE SPECIFIC and can impact ANYONE at ANY age! With advanced education & experience, I offer Memory Loss & Cognitive functioning assessments. Not all memory loss is permanent. Let me help you down this journey. And I promise, while some professionals may hand you a diagnosis and walk away, I will provide you with all the research and resources I have to offer and will help you look for more answers. People should never have to go through life and hardships alone. One of my newer areas of focus, which was a great unmet need, has been providing counseling for those who have lost a "4-legged" family member. This is an area that I receive referrals not only from veterinarians but also family doctors and OB/GYNs, "I am referring Mrs. Smith as she recently lost her only child...her child was her 20 year old cat, Roxie..." I offer counseling for Pet Grief & Loss. Some individuals have family members with 4 legs vs 2. Those losses are devastating as well and rarely understood by the general public. I have been providing counseling to individuals, couples and families from many races, religions, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds for over 30 years. I work with preteens to those over 100 years young. I have provided therapy in my office, in individual homes, in schools and in retirement communities, nursing homes and hospitals. I have provided instructional in-services on cultural awareness and aging issues. I have set up memory clinics and performed routine depression and anxiety assessments. For me, helping people live better lives has always been what I am about. It is a gift I share every moment of every day. As an older, more "SEASONED" therapist, I have been where many of you are and survived. It has not been easy. I can tell you that with each action comes not one but many reactions and in many areas. My father was the highlight of not only my life but all the lives he interacted with. He was a teacher and elementary school principal. He saw everyone with the same lens and stuck up for the kids picked on. After school, he would give no charge swim lessons to neighborhood kids who were in need. He had cancer in his 30's and only had a 5% chance of beating it, back then, but he did. He lived till age 45 and died suddenly during a vacation with my mother and my little 7 year old brother. I was 25. Even though it was summer break and most teachers and principals were on vacation, the mortuary was standing room only, inside and out. I have a little brother born when I was a senior in High School. Another highlight of my life. He was always athletic, going to the Hood River in Oregon, when he was a young teen, to compete in the Junior Windsurfing Olympics. He is now a full professor at a state college. He does research in cardiac and ultramarathons. My sister, 18 months younger than I was born blue and had seizures all her life. She died suddenly of seizure and heart attack before the age of 50. My mother was a highly educated strong woman who would never give up the fight. However after watching 2 husbands die, one suddenly in front of her, her youngest daughter die suddenly before she was 50 and then one by one, all of her other family members at home, Great Pyrenees and New Foundlands, died. After that, mom gave up the will to live and died within a few years of a broken heart (even though she would never admit it). I divorced my husband after 50 years, I experienced many areas of stigma, prejudice, shame, loss of friends and family and many other areas of life we often take for granted. Being married to 1 person for 50 years was not always easy, but we made it, just not to 51, good and not so good. I developed tools along the way to cope for me and us. Tools you may also need to develop for you and yours. It was a journey that has been heart wrenching but I can guarantee you that this event(the divorce) like the other traumatic events in my life and other successes in life, they have been identified, dealt with. The constant, "ON THE JOB TRAINING" allows me to offer a more empathetic and knowledgeable therapist for my clients. Not all relationships can be saved in the way we wish. Some need to be reevaluated and redefined. I am here to assist you in whatever way YOU CHOSE and support YOU IN YOUR DECISION. And yes, I have gone to therapy to have a neu;tral third party to help me navigate my future courses. True, I have the formal education and life experiences as well as a "Dr's Bag" full of information and skills, but sometimes all of us need someone on the outside to truly listen, validate and help us navigate through the storms. Take care and Keep in touch. Dr Michaela Hammer

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin Hello. My name is Karen Gano, and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in New Mexico, Colorado, Maine, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Australia. I received my Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, and I have over 30 years of clinical counseling experience. My specialty is what I call Empowerment Counseling. I have a Motivational Interviewing style, and I use Compassion-Focused, Client-Centered, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Mindfulness, and Strength Based therapies to assist clients in improving their outlook and life. I have a holistic and goal oriented practice, working primarily with women who are going through some type of life transition whether it be separation, divorce, career changes, relocation, empty nest, illness, etc. I also provide counseling to healthcare workers as I have been a practicing medical social worker throughout my career, and I have worked in trauma, emergency medicine, critical care, oncology, palliative care, and domestic abuse. We can all benefit from talking to someone now and again. It is my primary goal to empower clients so that they can build and expand their "team," discover their voice, increase self-awareness and esteem, and make wanted changes in their life. My professional and personal mantra is "Self-Care + Time = Healing." I can help you with healthy coping strategies and tools to guide you from surviving to thriving. I very much look forward to working with you!

I have been a social worker in the area of education and in clinical therapy for over 30 years. I have years of experience working with individuals with learning handicaps, anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, and codependency. I also provide Christian counseling and teen counseling. I am trustworthy and not judgmental. My main therapeutic style is solution focused. If you are looking for a reliable and conscientious therapist, then look no further! I look forward to working with you.

There are definitely things that we can do in service of our own healing and growth but I tend to believe that there aren’t really answers or solutions to things, nor does there need to be, but instead ways of looking at them and holding them so that we can be in better relationship with them. I believe we can offer ourselves a perspective that can turn situations, circumstances, feelings, relationships with others and the relationship with ourselves into dance partners, instead of opponents that need to be defeated, not allowed or kept down. We can invite all of our experiences onto the dance floor of our heart! As a human being we will sometimes dance with incredible Grace and at other times be quite clumsy. We are allowed, we are human! If we allow ourselves to move with humor, patience, understanding and forgiveness we can recognize that our life’s dance can truly be Blessed and beautiful! Quite simply offering behavioral, emotional and relational support to young people, individuals and families on their journeys. Providing a strength based approach in which warmth, patience, humility, humor and sincere reflection nurture the already existing health and strength within each human being. Since 2012 I have been Blessed with being able to provide therapeutic support to children, adolescents, adults and families in my role as a youth and family therapist. I would be honored to provide any support or therapeutic accompaniment I can offer to assist you on your path of healing, personal growth, individual unfoldment or just surfing the waves of life. I look forward to working with you. Thank you so much! Eric

My name is Katie Potts, LMSW. I have a Masters degree in Social Work from Wayne State University, in Detroit. I got my MSW in 2004. I use cognitive behavioral therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational interviewing in my therapy practice. I have experience working with individuals and couples struggling with negative self-talk, low self-esteem, mood instability, substance use, challenging irrational beliefs and paranoia, anxiety, history of trauma, eating disorders, addiction and codependency in family systems and individuals that identify as Adult Children of Alcoholics. I also have experience working with people struggling with issues related to grief and loss. I have worked extensively with individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and have co-facilitated a DBT group. I use DBT skills in my therapy practice and encourage you to learn these wonderful life skills if you are open and want to. I look forward to being able to help you through whatever challenge you are facing!

Thank you for considering me on your journey to wellness! I have answered the call of hundreds of people over 8 years to help with numerous challenges, including depression, anxiety, alcohol use, substance use, family matters, relationship challenges, self-esteem, and communication. I've helped veterans and first responders cope more effectively with the stressors of their job. Over the course of my life, I've developed a mission: "Nobody left behind." What that means for you is when you work with me, you have my full attention, care, and concern. You matter! You're important! You're looking for help and I can help you. I listen to understand and provided feedback. More importantly, I can help you understand more about you and in a lot of cases why you are the way you are. WE can identify these things together and lay out clear steps to get better. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to working with you!

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and I have been counseling individuals for 20+ years. My education and training include a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a Masters of Science degree in Counseling from the University of the Southwest. My experience with diverse participants has allowed me to acquire the therapeutic and coaching skills needed to work effectively with adults from all walks of life to address a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, grief and loss, trauma, as well as important life transitions. I treat individuals with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I utilize evidenced based trauma informed approaches including cognitive-behavioral therapy in a positive and optimistic atmosphere. I provide the support needed to share, become aware and address life challenges in a way that result in a client driven individualized treatment plan designed to meet your unique and specific needs. I recognize the strength it takes to strive towards securing a more balanced and fulfilling life. Especially, the courage you exhibited by taking the first steps towards seeking help. That is why, I am here to support you on your journey. Carrie Cooper, MS, LPCC

Hi, thank you for looking at my profile. I have been a psychotherapist for over 20 years treating children, adults and couples in various settings. I have helped clients with issues such as depression, anxiety, anger management, ADHD, LGBTQ, autism, stress, relationship issues, grief and just day-to-day concerns that may arise. I provide mostly a client centered approach to therapy but will tailor my treatment modality to the client’s needs. My goal is for clients to feel safe, respected and understood. My philosophy has always been to treat others as I would want to be treated. My sessions will start by discussing what brought you to therapy and then later together we will come up with a short term and long term goal to meet your needs. I look forward to working with you! Warmly, Jennifer Kempner, LCSW, MEd

I am licensed in New Mexico with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & anger management. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I have over 6 years of clinical experience as an LCSW and over 14 years of experience as a social work practitioner in working with individuals that have a variety of needs. I use an eclectic approach by integrating different evidence-based intervention techniques to tailor treatment to the individual. I specialize in working with adults on family issues, relationship stressors, sexuality and coming out; and self-esteem/self-trust. I provide feedback and I am directive, therefore I try not to 'just listen and validate' I also like to be engaged in what you are saying.

As a licensed therapist with three decades of experience in providing therapy, I specialize in supporting individuals through complex life transitions and emotional challenges. My practice centers on helping clients navigate stress, relationship dynamics, trauma recovery, and personal growth. I offer a compassionate, client-centered approach that honors each person's unique journey. My expertise spans a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, grief, communication difficulties, and life purpose exploration. I'm particularly passionate about supporting individuals through significant life changes, addressing interpersonal challenges, and helping clients develop deeper self-understanding and resilience. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and adaptive, drawing from evidence-based practices to meet each client's specific needs. I create a supportive environment where individuals can explore their experiences, develop coping strategies, and work towards meaningful personal transformation.

As a licensed therapist in New Mexico, I bring over a decade of experience supporting individuals through complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients navigate challenges like anxiety, trauma, grief, and self-esteem issues. I specialize in addressing a wide range of emotional experiences, from social anxiety and isolation to attachment difficulties and mood disorders. My therapeutic approach is deeply compassionate and tailored to each individual's unique journey. I focus on creating a supportive environment where clients can explore personal growth, develop healthier communication patterns, and work towards self-understanding. Whether you're struggling with panic attacks, relationship dynamics, or seeking greater self-love, I'm committed to walking alongside you with empathy and professional expertise. I believe in empowering clients to reconnect with their inner strength, overcome challenging emotional patterns, and rediscover a sense of purpose and connection. My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your experiences and develop meaningful strategies for personal transformation.