5916 Anaheim Ave. NE, Suite A
Albuquerque, NM (505) 291-6314
Our Counselors
Rhonda Neswald-Potter, PhD, LPCC, ACS
Each of us is in the process of being and becoming at any given moment. Ideally, counseling facilitates this process by empowering each person to begin and continue through their unique growth process. My counseling interests include spiritual issues in counseling, expressive arts and nonverbal modes of communication.
My work includes individuals who have experienced trauma or who may have difficulty verbalizing their experiences, as well as those with concerns related to anxiety, depression, adjustment and existential crises. I have a strong background in clinical supervision and have published and presented my expressive arts supervision model, The Regenerative Model (c), nationally and internationally. I completed my undergraduate work at the Louisiana Scholars’ College, where I earned a degree in Humanities and Social Thought. My Masters level work was completed at Northwestern State University in 1998, and my Doctoral studies at the University of New Mexico in 2001. I have served as a visiting faculty member in the Counseling Program at the University of New Mexico on different occasions, as well as serving as faculty in various roles with Walden University since 2006.
I have held many professional roles during my career, including as the 2006-2007 president of the New Mexico Counseling Association. I am also a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance, trained in the Krishnamacharya lineage. My current study has grown from this foundation to include Tantric philosophy and a strong interest in the non-duality of human experiences. My classes include Restorative, Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin modalities.
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 200 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.
Amy Vialpando, MA, LMHC
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.
Evelyn Rainey, MS, LPCC
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.
Reynette Beynon, LMHC , 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.
Heidi Neff, MA, LMHC
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 prior experience in religious studies and creative writing inform my approach to therapy.
My philosophy of counseling is person-centered and experiential. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is a safe space where symbiotic 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. My practice includes religious/spiritual issues, relationships, anxiety, depression, gender, and sexuality. I primarily work with adolescents and adults.
Jessica Patterson-Hill, MEd, LPCC
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!
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.
Natalia Melançon, LMSW
I graduated with my Master of Social Work degree from New Mexico Highlands University in 2019. As an intern, I had an opportunity to work with (former) inmates, adolescents, adults, and families. I also have some experience working with court-mandated and senior citizen population in a group setting.
I always aim to create a warm, accepting, trustworthy relationship with my clients. My goal is to build a therapeutic alliance where they feel respected for their individuality, have the right and capacity for self-determination and are fully involved in the helping process from beginning to end.
I come from the perspective that clients are the experts in their life, and my collaborative approach is to give them choices, decision-making power, and opportunities for honest feedback.
Dianne Hibbs, MA, LMHC
I am a graduate of the Counselor Education Masters program at the University of New Mexico. I’ve been in Albuquerque since 2003 and have worked in Chattanooga, TN; Atlanta, GA; and Albuquerque, NM alongside adults with developmental disabilities; children, teens, and adults with learning differences (identified as learning disabled, gifted, or twice exceptional); individuals navigating anxiety, depression, and relationship issues; community organizations; and small business groups. I earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology as well as a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. I am currently working toward certification from the Sand Tray Training Institute of New Mexico.
My theoretical orientation is rooted in Person-Centered, Psychodynamic, and Narrative Counseling. What this means for clients is that I am honored to listen deeply to your stories and collaborate with you to find your inner strengths. My favorite ways of doing this are through conversation and with sand trays. I learn how you see the world around you and your place in it, following your lead and sharing perspectives with you about what I am seeing and hearing from you. Through this work, you begin to see new ways of looking at your stories, make meaning from them, and become empowered to determine where they will go next.
Administration
Ferris McCalip
I have lived in New Mexico since I was a kid, and have spent my entire adult life living in Albuquerque. I graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BA in Political Science and Psychology, and spent a little bit of time learning working around neuroscience gadgets at UNM's psyche center. I have just come on board full-time starting in July 2019.
My main responsibilities involve data management, web development, ensuring our PCs are working, up to date, and secure. After hours you can probably find me playing music or geeking out with computers. I genuinely enjoy working with technology, so this job is a real treat!