Counseling Providers in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Hi, my name is Ava N Plakio. I am a native New Mexican who loves red chile, an avid Detroit Lions fan, I have two pomskies named Tamale and Captain Crunch, and a daughter that I adore. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), licensed in the state of New Mexico. In 2008 I graduated from the University of New Mexico, where I double majored in Psychology and Sociology. In 2019 I received my Masters of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling from New Mexico Highlands University.

Since 2008 I have worked with children and youth in various settings but have spent a large majority of my career working with adults who were seeking to address mental health and addiction disorders. I spent 10 years as an educator with the Department of Corrections facilitating group therapy sessions that focused on rehabilitating criminal thinking and changing defiant behavior, under the umbrella of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

I have spent my career striving to learn all that I can about multicultural paradigms that exist in our community. As an LMHC, I am a firm believer that counseling is a very personal thing and that no one style of therapeutic treatment fits all people’s needs and personalities. Because of this I will always try to adjust my style to fit your individual needs to make you feel seen and heard.

I am excited about your decision to take the first step in focusing on your mental well-being. I hope that you trust me to accompany you on this journey.

Alicia earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education with a specialization in Criminal Justice from Wayland Baptist University. She then went on to earn her Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Webster University. Her focus has been working with children, adolescents, and adults as well as the probation and parole population. She also has experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma, attachment issues, ADHD, ADD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar. Alicia provides individual therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. Her special interests include ADHD and autism. Alicia has over 10 years of experience providing counseling services to individuals. Alicia believes in strength-based counseling as well as meeting the clients where they are emotionally guided. Alicia provides a humanistic approach, as well as person-centered therapy, no one-size-fits-all therapy approach.

Hi! My name is Jutta Fournier (KUDOS if you can pronounce that right away!!!) For over 7 years I have been calling New Mexico my home and enjoy it tremendously. My journey started far away though and I was born and raised in Germany, a true Bavarian. Life’s journey led me to become a US citizen and I have resided in Tennessee, Nebraska, and now New Mexico. Education wise, I earned a German Abitur and my Undergraduate Studies were completed at Austin Peay State University. I earned my Master in Community Counseling at the University of Nebraska in Omaha.

My career started working for Juvenile Court in Omaha as a Probation Officer. Upon receiving my Masters I then continued in the Juvenile Justice field as a therapist. My experience also includes working in Corrections with juveniles, as well as adult male and female inmates. I also worked for an inpatient psychiatric hospital where I became familiar with the geriatric population. My professional orientation circles around Solution Focused Therapy, CBT, and Mindfulness.

Teaching clients to reach their full potential in a supportive, nurturing manner is of utmost importance to me. Empowering my clients and witnessing their progress is extremely rewarding! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my loved ones and taking my “fur babies” for long walks. Whenever possible I go horseback riding and enjoy the outdoors. Albuquerque is so diverse and exploring new restaurants or different venues is always welcome. So much to do and never boring!

Dawn is your first point of contact.

As office manager she demonstrates the oversight of all aspects of patient care and smooth running of the office. Her responsibilities include but not limited to scheduling, patient communication, checking insurance benefits and taking care of insurance problems, accounts receivable and working with patients to understand their insurance benefits and financial obligation. She is very understanding of patients needs and tries to match them with the best suited therapist

Hello, my name is Elizabeth Escogné. I am originally from Louisiana and a proud Acadienne, most folks call us Cajuns. I transplanted to New Mexico after Hurricane Katrina and have lived here ever since. I am a veteran, having served in the USAF as a generator mechanic since 2005 and also fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. I graduated from NMMI in Roswell, NM and have an undergrad in Psychology and one in Russian from the University of New Mexico. I received my MSW from Fordham University in NYC. I am currently on the States Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee. I also have a little old lady therapy pup, Reyka, who accompanies me from time to time.

I have worked in the mental health field since 2011 with a focus on crisis and trauma informed care. I have worked primarily with folks who are surviving SMI and dual diagnosis. I am credentialed in DBT as well as CRA- and CRAFT. I am an adoptee advocate and it is my passion to assist adoptees and their families navigate the waters of responsible adoption.

I do not believe in single modality therapy and believe strongly in meeting people where they are. If anything, I focus on a trauma informed approach and work to support my clients in guiding their own empowerment. It is my belief that every person has the power within themselves to live the life they want but we all need some help tapping into it from time to time.

Let’s work together to make the most of this post-covid world!

Betsy Ramsell has worked in the Behavioral Health area for over 10+ years. She is a licensed Substance Abuse Counselor. She is trained in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, the Matrix Model (a treatment for substance-use disorders), and many more techniques.

Let me help guide you toward problem-solving skills on your journey of recovery from addiction while learning and cultivating healthy coping skills to aid in your recovery. I strive to provide a comfortable and inviting environment where people can share about themselves and experience growth in a positive manner. I provide unconditional empathy that assists me in understanding a person’s past experiences, present situation, and future goals while maintaining mindfulness of the individual’s thoughts, emotions, and individual choices. I am non-judgmental and provide a safe space for people to express themselves.

Hi! I’m Julie, I am an LMSW here at Coffee on the Couch Counseling. I obtained my Master’s degree at Salisbury University in Maryland before I moved to New Mexico. I enjoy having a degree in social work as I feel it helps me understand the biopsychosocial factors that each individual differs so much in and relate it to therapeutic goals. Throughout my career, I have specialized in addictions, developmental disabilities, children, and families. I now see many adults and couples and I really can’t pick a favorite population to work with! I am working to become eclectic in the training and approaches that I take and am always eager to grow in experience and knowledge.

Hi, my name is Brian Kimber, and I have 35 years of experience helping families and individuals face all sorts of life challenges. For 33 of those years, I have done so as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, having earned my Social Work degree from New Mexico Highlands University in 1994. My background includes working with abused children and their families, providing mental health interventions for incarcerated youth and adults, and delivering substance abuse treatment.

My areas of interest include substance abuse treatment, addressing the effects of trauma, including those who have experienced trauma in their religious communities; working with individuals who have histories of incarceration; and supporting those who are having difficulty feeling at home within themselves. I truly believe that everyone is inherently and unshakably good, and I want to help others believe this for themselves.