Voted 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 Best Counselor in Otero County
Ana Rodriguez, MSSW, LCSW (She/Her)
⭐ Social Work Board Approved Supervisor ⭐
⭐ Counseling and Therapy Practice Board Approved Supervisor⭐
...is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New Mexico. Her undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University is in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Welfare and Gender Studies. She completed her Master of Science in Social Work at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Ana currently works as a social worker and therapist in a behavioral medicine unit and serves as the primary therapist working with active duty service members. Ana emphasizes a multicultural and integrative approach to counseling. She has experience working with those with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, and management of stress and times of transition. She has additional experience working with survivors of domestic violence. Ana utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and other modalities to assist you in your journey to healing and wellness.
Nala
…is a 3-year-old old Lionhead, Netherland Dwarf bunny who has been working with the Open Mind Healing And Recovery’s group since March of 2022. His expertise is winning over the hearts of those who come to visit him at the office. Nala enjoys doing sessions with the children that come to see his human, Evelyn, and has found that he is the perfect fit for helping children feel comfortable and calm in the office. He would like to add that he enjoys teaching children mindfulness so that he can get some extra pets. On his free time, Nala loves to zoom around the office, take naps and eat his favorite snacks. He would like to tell everyone that everybunny needs somebunny sometimes, who is all ears!
Tera Uhl, LPCC
...has a Master's of Counseling and Educational Psychology degree from New Mexico State University. She has been working as a Clinical Counselor since 2011. Tera has experience working in inpatient settings doing individual and group therapy for adults and children. She worked as a Treatment Foster Care therapist for 5 years specializing in trauma informed care for children 5-21 years of age. Currently, Tera is a counselor for Las Cruces Public Schools where she has been for 4 years. Tera has experience working with those with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma related disorders as well as various crisis situations.
Marissa Love, LPCC (She/Her)
...is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with over 10 years of experience. Marissa received her Masters in Clinical and Educational Psychology from New Mexico State University. Marissa initially served the Las Cruces community, working with survivors of sexual assault. She has worked with various populations and this afforded her the opportunity to work with individuals in need of a higher level of care. Marissa currently works with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, interpersonal relationships and self esteem. Marissa is knowledgeable in utilizing various treatment modalities, however, she primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a Person Centered Approach. Marissa strives to help individuals learn to validate themselves, thus increasing self acceptance and decreasing the need for external validation.
Jose Mendoza, LMSW
...is a LMSW Licensed in New Mexico and Texas, with many years of experience, and an extensive background working closely with families, other social workers, and social agencies. Jose earned a Master of Science in Social Work from University of Texas, along with a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Colombia Southern University. His background and training include 16 years of honorable service in the United States Army as a military police officer.
Jose has been recognized for outstanding empathy, sensitive listening and questioning, and relationship building with diverse populations and ages. He has a strong record of engaging children, parents, and other caregivers to coordinate assessments and permanency plans. Jose has a rooted understanding drawing from evidence-based therapies such as person-centered therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). He has worked with all age groups dealing with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, communication, and codependency, and other behavioral issues.
Naomi Lopez, LMSW
...is a Licensed Master Social Worker with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals across New Mexico. She earned both her Bachelor’s (2009) and Master’s (2013) degrees in Social Work from New Mexico State University. Naomi has worked with adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families in a wide range of community and clinical settings, including inpatient behavioral health, state care systems, correctional facilities, and with survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Jo Sims, LPCC (She/Her)
⭐ Lead Therapist in Las Cruces⭐
⭐ Counseling and Therapy Practice Board Approved Supervisor⭐
...is a graduate of University of the Southwest graduating with a Masters of Science with an emphasis in Mental Health Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and out lead therapist in Las Cruces, NM. She received her undergraduate degrees in history and psychology from New Mexico State University. During this time Ms. Kirkpatrick discovered an interest in law and pursued a masters degree in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University. Once this was accomplished Ms. Kirkpatrick also attained a masters degree in mental health counseling. As a counselor Ms. Kirkpatrick has had the opportunity to work with a variety of clients in an inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient setting. Her clinical experience includes counseling adults, adolescents, and children. She also has knowledge and training in mental health, substance use, co-occurring disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, and bipolar disorder. Since graduation Ms. Kirkpatrick has had the opportunity to receive training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. Ms. Kirkpatrick utilizes several treatment modalities and evidence-based therapeutic interventions to help clients achieve the goals they are searching for.
Aurora Álvarez, MSW, LCSW (She/Her)
…is a licensed as a Clinical Social Worker as well as a bilingual therapist serving families and adults with behavioral health services. Also, I am committed to providing individual and family psychotherapy with a multicultural sensitive, inclusive and LGBTQ affirming lens with therapeutic underpinnings that include attachment based, neuro-diverse and trauma-responsive approaches. Furthermore, I am currently providing online behavioral health services (telehealth) for residents of New Mexico as well as home and office-based visits to the residents located in Las Cruces, NM. I have a passion for working with parents raising toddlers who are seeking to have support and encouragement in creating a safe and secure attachment. But as a clinician I’m also dedicated and honored to offering to families, adolescents and adults guidance and a curious stance to explore how to have stronger and genuine relationships with each other and with themselves. As a daughter of Mexican immigrant parents and a daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, I am very familiar with the unique stressors of Latinx and military families as they build their lives within very challenging situations they may encounter within the community. I strive to provide to my clients and families a positive, mutually competent and caring approach with empathetic communication where ruptures within the therapeutic relationship are handled with clear responsibility and genuine repair. My direct practice and clinical training include trauma informed practices, trauma responsive systems, attachment throughout the lifespan, infant mental health, early intervention, early childhood development, LGBTQ affirming, child welfare, holistic and energy approaches.
SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
Krystle Williams, MSW, LCSW (She/Her)
... is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She completed her Master’s in Social Work with a specialization in substance abuse counseling in 2009, followed by a Master’s in Communication with an emphasis in interpersonal communication in 2010. Krystle has practiced as a therapist to assist individuals and families regarding issues related to depression, anxiety, conflict management, domestic violence, mood disorders and substance abuse. Most recently Krystle has worked in the medical field assisting individuals and families to cope with complex medical issues, past and recent cancer diagnoses, grief and loss of loved ones, life course planning and crisis intervention. Krystle is dedicated to supporting any individual who is struggling with the complexity of life’s circumstances.
Whitney Katzenbach, LPCC (She/Her)
... Is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the state of New Mexico. Whitney has always had a love and passion to help others. She is committed to assisting her clients with change and improving their overall life. Whitney has experience working in private practice, partial hospitalization programs, on behavioral health units, and psychiatric hospitals. She works with a wide range of ages (13+) and diagnoses (anxiety, depression, addiction, bipolar, schizophrenia, PTSD, etc). Whitney is also trained in the trauma therapy known as Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She strives to provide support, empathy, and encouragement along the healing journey. Whitney has been a military spouse for 14 years and has had the opportunity to live all over the world. Those experiences have exposed her to multiple cultures and belief systems. Whitney enjoys learning and growing with her clients.
Tacy Perkins, LMHC, NCC, LADAC, LCDC (TX) (She/Her)
...Tacy has worked as a counselor in the substance abuse treatment field since 2015. She earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston—Downtown in 2010. She became an independent Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in Texas in 2018, working with justice-involved adult clients. She earned a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University in 2021. Also in 2021, Tacy became an independent Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New Mexico. She is pursuing independent licensure for mental health counseling in New Mexico and Texas. Tacy currently works as a therapist at a long-term residential treatment facility serving clients with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. She has experience providing crisis intervention, assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning, individual counseling, and group therapy facilitation and curriculum development. She works with adults ages 18 and older.
Frances Dudley, LMSW (She/Her)
...is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She completed her Bachelors of Social Work at Eastern New Mexico in 2021 and her Masters of Social Work at Western New Mexico in 2023. Frances has experience with a wide range of populations, including domestic violence, traumatic brain injury, personality disorders, addictions, and anxiety and depression. She has experience working in an inpatient psychiatric facility, military, and crisis intervention. Frances is enjoying her continued growth in various evidence-based therapeutic interventions and modalities.