Q. What do all those letters mean after your name?

A. These letters stand for the various licenses and certifications that our staff hold.

MA: Masters Degree
NCC: National Certified Counselor recognized by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
LPCC: Clinical Mental Health Counselor recognized by the State of New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department Counseling and Therapy Practice Board.
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor recognized by the State of New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department Counseling and Therapy Practice Board.

Q. What is a sand tray session like?

A. There are two parts to a sand tray session, the creation phase and the processing phase. In the creation phase the client is invited to create a world in the tray by making patterns in the sand and using a variety of miniatures. The therapist remains present but silent during this phase. In the processing phase the client is invited to verbally explore the metaphorical world they have created.

Q. Will the therapist analyze or try to interpret the sand world I create?

A. The emphasis of sand tray is on exploration rather than interpretation. Feelings are explored rather than thoughts. Awareness is emphasized rather than insight. Being aware allows us to notice experiences as they happen so we can choose another option if we wish.

Q. Why would you use sand tray therapy instead of something else?

A. Sand tray is used to identify and clarify issues, explore past and present decisions and to deepen the therapeutic experience. In addition, sand tray is increasingly recognized as an effective therapeutic tool in the treatment of trauma and grief counseling.

Q. I am interested in sand tray but not sure that is the right thing all the time. Would I be able to have different types of therapy?

A. Sand tray is only one of the modalities used by our therapists. Each session is an individual experience where the client is in control of the process. The client may choose to use sand tray in any given session or any part of the session.

Q. What is EMDR?

A. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a powerful technique which has been very successful in helping people who suffer from a variety of emotional problems such as anxiety, disturbing memories or dreams, trauma, panic and post traumatic stress. It is unusual because it is a therapy that can bring quick and lasting relief for most types of emotional distress. Negative life experiences or traumas which upset the biochemical balance of the brain’s physical information system create an imbalance that prevents information processing and traps the experience in the nervous system. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, right/left eye movement, or tactile stimulation, which activates the opposite sides of the brain, releasing blocked emotional experiences that are trapped in the nervous system.

Q. How do I know if EMDR is right for me?

A. If you feel that EMDR may be helpful you can talk to your therapist and try a session to gain some experience with the method.

Q. What is an EMDR session like?

A. Each EMDR session will be slightly different as the material you bring to the session changes. However, there will always be bilateral stimulation involved. This can be accomplished in various ways. For example, the therapist could instruct you to move your eyes as you follow the therapist’s finger or you could use tactile stimulation of a vibration alternating between your hands as you focus on the target experience.

Q. What is Life Coaching?

A. Life Coaching is a process of helping people achieve their goals by assisting them with developing new practices and often new ways of thinking and talking about their life.

Q. How is Life Coaching different from Counseling?

A. In Counseling, the focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of mental dysfunction or mental illness. In contrast, in Life Coaching the focus is on helping clients determine and achieve goals by effecting change in a client’s current and future behavior.

Q. Who hires a Life Coach and why?

A. Some people who hire a Life Coach are interested in growing personally or professionally. Others want more out of their lives or want to learn how to manifest their greatest desires. Some hire a Life Coach because they want help finding solutions to their problems or need a motivator in order to get more out of life.

Q. What is Mediation?

A. Mediation is a process of dispute resolution where the mediator, a neutral third party, is the facilitator in a structured discussion about an area of disagreement. The goal is to find a positive solution and reach consensus on the disputed issue incorporating both viewpoints.

Q. Is this like couples therapy?

A. While couples can hire a mediator this is not therapy. Therapy would address the underlying issues and resolve dysfunctional reactions. Mediation is limited to one well defined dispute and both parties need to be willing to reach consensus on the issue.

Q. Can anyone get into a group session?

A. Potential group members are interviewed by the therapist to see if they "fit" into the group. Not everyone does.

Q. How long do groups meet?

A. Groups meet for either an hour and a half to two hours, and generally have a set number of meetings agreed upon at the formation of the group.

Q. I have heard of open and closed groups. What does that mean?

A. Open means that if a member drops out, a new member can be accepted into the group. Closed means that the group is not open to adding new members.

Q. Does my insurance cover group therapy?

A. Some insurances do cover group therapy, and for those that do not, we can work with you on the fee.

Q. How do you keep track of everyone?

A. Group therapy is proctored by trained therapists. Occasionally, two therapists will be involved in a group.

Q. What kind of problems are addressed in groups?

A. Groups are used with a number of different issues. Parenting Skills, Addictions, Communication, Anxiety, Conflict Resolution, or Social Skills are just a few of these issues. Targeted groups might also include those for men, women, or adolescents.