Counseling Providers in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ava N Plakio

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 Sedillo, MA LMHC

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.

Jutta Fournier

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

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

Elizabeth Escogné

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!

Andi

I am excited to provide you with a safe space where your mental health care needs can be met. I embrace my clients where they are at, as a whole person while incorporating holistic elements within my therapeutic practice. I have experience working with C-PTSD, Sexual assault survivors, depression, anxiety, identity struggles, postpartum mood disorders and more. I love to empower my clients through their individual journeys. I have a passion for working with mothers/birthing people as well as complex trauma and LGBTQ+ individuals.

I take a person-centered approach to counseling. For me this means that therapy begins by creating a safe space for all of my clients through empathy, and a relationship free of judgement. I incorporate body-centered mindfulness, somatic interventions and CBT with my clients. Additionally, I am trained in EMDR therapy and enjoy using this modality with clients who would like to process trauma or other difficult experiences.