5916 Anaheim Ave. NE, Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Our Counselors
Evelyn Rainey, MS, LPCC, Owner
I believe people have a deep desire to feel connected, have a sense of belonging, and not only be heard but understood. Every person is both precious and unique. I like working with people where they are, providing a safe environment so we can work together, discovering the best ways to reach their goals. Often times, the biggest part of managing symptoms is finding the cause or reason symptoms are occurring. My approach to therapy is strongly person centered/humanistic and I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential for healing and growth.
I am a licensed professional mental health counselor with a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. I am EMDR certified and use a variety of therapeutic approaches, including art and sand tray. My primary clientele are adults, adolescents, and couples. I have experience in dealing with anxiety, trauma, dissociation, depression, sexual orientation, substance abuse, personality disorders, psychosis, bipolar disorders, and ADHD.
Jessica Patterson-Hill, MEd, LPCC, Clinical Director
I received my Master’s of Education in Counseling from the University of North Texas in 1999 and have been back in New Mexico providing therapeutic services to Individuals and Families ever since. I have highly specialized training that enables me to provide trauma-focused work with Individuals in both verbal and non-verbal (eg: EMDR, Sand Tray) modalities. I have extensive experience working with Individuals, Couples and Families on a variety of topics and life experiences such as Grief and Loss, Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Trauma (Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Divorce, Death, and Major Life Adjustments among other causes), Spirituality and Life Transitions.
While I work primarily from a Rogerian, Person-Centered approach, meeting you where you are currently at in life and working with you to attain the personal goals you set, I am very holistic and eclectic in my therapeutic work and will draw from other therapeutic modalities as needed. I see my work with Individuals and Families as being a gift and look forward to working with you through this phase of your life’s journey!
Amy Vialpando, MA, LPCC
I am a New Mexico native who has lived and worked within our beautiful community for almost my entire life. I graduated with my Master of Arts in Counseling from UNM in 2018. I have worked in the mental field for almost a decade. I have worked in in-patient and residential substance abuse treatment as well as in my current capacity providing outpatient therapy. I am interested in working with adults and adolescents that have concerns regarding issues of adjustment, anxiety, depression, grief, as well as those who have experienced trauma.
I practice counseling from an Adlerian perspective, which means that my role in a client's treatment is to help clients explore and understand how they "fit" in the context of their life, then take that understanding to achieve change, personal growth, and fulfillment. This perspective allows the flexibility to tailor my approach and incorporate tenets and interventions from other modalities to best suit the client, their needs, as well as their desired outcome.
My goal as your counselor is to provide a safe space help you achieve resolution with the concerns that brought you here and support you as you find insight, growth, and empowerment as you move forward.
Shari Spies, PsyD
My therapeutic philosophy embraces the connection between physical health and emotional wellbeing. I am a Clinical Psychologist and work with adults and adolescents who experience a variety of emotional difficulties. My practice includes individuals who experience depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship problems, substance abuse, personality disorders, and eating disorders. My practice includes individuals coping with LGBTQ+ concerns as well as gender identity difficulties. I also provide Psychological Evaluations/Testing and evaluations for individuals seeking Gender Reassignment Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, and disability benefits.
Reynette Beynon, LPCC , NCC
I work mostly with adolescents aged 14+ as well as adults up to age 50. Much of what clients are looking for in counseling is a safe space where they can explore and process their trauma that has led to PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other disorders. The common goal tends to be symptom management and/or relief for most adults. For teens it can be important to have an adult outside of the home and outside of school who can listen empathically and objectively to what they’re experiencing, help with techniques in emotional regulation, and offer a safe space to discuss fears. With client-centered therapy a lot of this can be possible.
I use a variety of methods in helping my clients achieve congruence in their life. I consider my theoretical orientation to be Person-Centered which basically means I value the therapeutic relationship and my clients’ expertise on who they are to help work toward goals. I incorporate a lot of mindfulness-based techniques and am working to be EMDR certified.
Shawne A. Blackburn, MA, LPCC
I received my Masters degree from the University of New Mexico in 2006. I have been a therapist and a supervisor for interns and non-independent licensed counselors since that time.
I work mainly with adolescents and adults. I have experience working with clients in both group and individual settings on a variety of issues ranging from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma, spiritual concerns, gay and lesbian issues and life transitions. I promote positive growth and provide a very caring and nurturing environment. Although I practice from a primarily Person-Centered approach I take a very holistic path in my counseling.
I am comfortable using many different therapeutic modalities, have been certified in EMDR and am a 500 RYT yoga instructor. I believe that the modality used in sessions depends on the client and where they are in their lives. I feel that everyone has the power within himself or herself to grow and make lasting changes.
Joslyn Garcia, MA, LMHC
I am a proud lifelong New Mexico native. I completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of New Mexico. I received my Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Africana Studies. I received my Master of Arts in Counseling.
I have experience working with people who have developmental disabilities, children, adults, couples and families dealing with but not limited to trauma, Bi-polar disorder, depression, grief, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder and attachment injuries.
I practice counseling from a culturally inclusive and sensitive approach. I aim to create a welcoming and safe space for clients, to begin the work the individual client needs, with the understanding that every person is unique in their needs. I primarily work from an existential, person-centered approach, which ideally facilitates in helping the client find a deeper meaning in their life experiences.
Leigh Anne Ho, MA, LMHC (she, her)
I strive to provide a safe and supportive environment for people to learn about themselves and to find acceptance. My personal philosophy is influenced by Coherence Therapy – a powerful approach to healing and growth. I believe that within every individual lies an inherent coherence, a natural alignment that, when recognized and nurtured, can lead to transformative change.
I am a graduate of the Counselor Education Master's program at the University of New Mexico, have a Bachelor's in Anthropology, and a continuing curiosity about people. My practice includes individuals and couples dealing with trauma, domestic violence, depression, anxiety, stress and coping with difficulties that arise around gender identity and gender expression.
Lauren Gaunt, MA, LMHC (she/her)
I graduated from the University of New Mexico with my Master’s in Counseling in May 2023. I moved to Albuquerque from St. Louis, Missouri, where I earned my first Master’s degree in Cognitive Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. My clinical interests include eating disorder treatment, fat liberation and body acceptance, LGBTQIA+ issues, and adolescent development. I plan to continue my professional development through specialized training in eating disorder treatment. I am a member of the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH), a certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and am a registered Health at Every Size (HAES) provider. I enjoy working with clients both on an individual basis and in a group counseling setting. Further information about Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating can be found on the following websites: ASDAH | Committed to Size Diversity in Health and HAES®
My counseling approach is largely informed by social constructionist theory, which emphasizes the influence of sociocultural contexts on individual wellness and identity. I believe that clients are experts in their own lives and that my role as a counselor is to help clients to explore their perspectives and the contexts which have shaped them. My work with clients often includes a strengths-based exploration of cultural narratives about self and the world, with the goal of helping clients to find new and empowering ways to tell their stories. Depending on client needs, my work also includes development of skills for distress tolerance, emotion regulation, mindfulness, and relationships. When such skills development is relevant and needed, I incorporate Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) techniques.
C. Nicole Denham, MA, LMSW
I retrained as a therapist after conducting PTSD, younger onset dementia, HIV prevention, and other research in the U.S. and overseas. I graduated with my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from New Mexico Highlands University in August 2023, and have worked with adults on emotional and mood difficulties, childhood and complex trauma, grief, shame, self-criticism, perfectionism, and relationship issues, among others. I am especially passionate about helping couples, adult siblings, and adult children and their parents navigate relationship challenges and life transitions.
I have completed an Emotionally Focused Therapy® (EFT) Externship, which is the first step to EFT Certification. EFT is an evidence-based, non-pathologizing approach that helps couples and families create secure emotional connections, and helps individuals achieve a more coherent sense of self. Whether drawing from EFT or other approaches, I aim to foster new experiences in session to support lasting change. For relationships, this may include defining, expressing, and attending to each other’s bids for both connection and differentiation. Individual work might include mindfulness, guided imagery, and parts or self-compassion work; all with particular attention to emotional safety and trust.
Other interests include supporting adults with emotional dysregulation and abandonment sensitivities (clinically termed Borderline Personality Disorder), and adults with body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) such as skin picking.
James Greiner, MA, LMHC (he/him, they/them)
I’m a New Mexico transplant from Washington State, and I received my master’s in counseling through Adams State University. My approach to counseling is holistic and client-centered. I view the client as the expert on their own life and believe my role is to hold space and facilitate growth. Client-counselor trust and unconditional positive regard are pivotal aspects of this process. I often use elements of CBT in my work, which involves identifying and challenging unhelpful and self-defeating thoughts.
My areas of clinical focus are LGBTQIA+ (stigma, identity exploration, etc.), anxiety, depression, existential concerns, sexual guilt/shame, life transitions, and self-esteem. I use a systems perspective, which considers how relationships and culture affect mental health, particularly with oppressed and intersecting identities.
As a counselor, I am sex-positive, asexual affirming, kink-positive, and supportive of consensual monogamy and nonmonogamy. Our identities are complex and ever-changing. Whatever journey you’re on, I’d be honored to go on it with you.
Addison Roth, MA, LMSW
I am a New Mexico transplant from Georgia, and I received my master’s in social work from the University of North Dakota. I believe in the power of a strong therapeutic alliance and strive to create a safe environment for my clients. I work to help individuals understand and manage their emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, and improve their relationships.
I primarily work with adolescents and adults and have experience with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, and trauma. I embrace a holistic perspective with a foundation in Adlerian Theory, aiming to meet clients wherever they are on their journey. I'm excited to be a part of your therapeutic journey with you.
Heidi Neff, MA, LMHC
(On extended leave and not accepting clients at this time.)
I am a Pennsylvania transplant and, after several years traveling abroad, have called New Mexico home for the past decade. I graduated with my Master of Arts in Counseling from The University of New Mexico in 2021. My experience in religious studies, creative writing, and yoga informs my approach to counseling. I completed a 200-hour yoga teaching program in 2023.
My philosophy of counseling is person-centered. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is a safe space where evolution can occur, fostered by empathy, nonjudgmental acceptance, and trust. It is my joy as your counselor to help you unearth self-awareness and realize your full potential.
Some specific techniques I like to integrate include mindfulness, expressive arts, and body-based modalities. I also incorporate elements of Internal Family Systems. My practice includes religious/spiritual issues, trauma, relationships, anxiety, depression, gender, and sexuality. I primarily work with adolescents and adults.