From left, Stephanie Koch, MA, LMHC, Counselor at Mesa Vista Wellness; Sara Pasqualoni, M.D., Medical Director at LANL; Lori Coffelt, RN, Emergency Services at LAMC; Christine Hazard, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist at LAPS; Cate Nickless, coordinator for Los Alamos PHO; Kristine Coblentz, Healthy Schools Program director at LAPS; Tina Goldsmith, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Clinical Psychologist at Southwest Center for Child and Family Development; Andrea Cunningham, RN, BSN, program coordinator for JJAB; Patrice Goodkind, LISW, LCSW, Social Worker in Private Practice; and Kristy Ortega, Executive Director for UWNNM. Photo by Mary Beth Maassen/LAMC
UWNNM News:
The United Way of Northern New Mexico Behavioral Health Initiative (BHI) Group is working to provide resources, raise awareness and normalize behavioral and mental health issues in Los Alamos.
With in-depth research and discussions of strategy and advocacy, the group deals with issues ranging from improved crisis intervention to statewide concerns and insurance policy.
The group has met for a year and includes:
Los Alamos Medical Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos Public Schools, local non-profit organizations, Los Alamos Physician and Hospital Organization, therapists, counselors, social workers; Los Alamos County Community Services, Los Alamos Police Department and Los Alamos Fire Department.
The BHI Group meets at 5:30 p.m. every fourth Tuesday in the lower level conference room at Los Alamos Medical Center.
United Way of Northern New Mexico has recently assisted in funding, through Self Help Inc., a new mental health website: http://losalamosmentalhealth.org/.
Updates regarding the Group’s progress will be available very soon. For further information, contact UWNNM Executive Director Kristy Ortega at kristy@unitedwaynnm.org.
Community Resources:
- Jamie Silverman, LISW, ATR-BC is a Clinical Social Worker and Board Certified Art Therapist with Masters’ Degrees in both fields and with over 30 years of experience. She provides counseling, art/play therapy and family constellations to individuals, couples and families. 505.629.8176
- Dr. Goldsmith is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who completed her doctoral training at Western Michigan University, an APA-approved internship at the John Hopkins University, and a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University. Following her training, Dr. Goldsmith served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UNM for four years before joining Trumpet Behavioral Health, where she served as Director of Training for two years. In the summer of 2015, Dr. Goldsmith relocated from Santa Fe to Los Alamos with her husband and son, and after learning more about the growing behavioral health needs of Los Alamos, she decided to open the Southwest Center for Child and Family Development, LLC. Her practice, which is now open and located at 3250 Trinity Drive, Suite D-3, provides evaluation and treatment services to children (including infants and toddlers), adolescents, and families presenting with a wide range of concerns. Individuals interested in services at the Southwest Center should contact Dr. Goldsmith at 505.412.4044 or goldsmith@southwestcenter.net for a free 30-minute initial consultation.
Los Alamos Public Schools
- Kristine Coblentz joined Los Alamos Public Schools as the Healthy Schools Initiative director in November. This position was created as a result of the work of LAPS’ Mental Health Design Team and the School Board’s Strategic Plan which prioritizes student and staff well-being as one of its eight focus areas. Coblentz is working closely with a team that includes Dr. Christine Hazard, school clinical psychologist; Bernadette Lauritzen, Prevention Coordinator; and Angelica Roybal, the new elementary guidance counselor secretary. As the Healthy Schools Initiative team develops a comprehensive plan for supporting improvements in behavioral and physical health, they will be focusing on current strengths and challenge areas and working to increase resources, implement evidence-based programs, and raise community awareness.
From Mesa Vista Wellness – 505.983.8225
- Rachel Gerson’s therapeutic style emphasizes the connection between the mind, body, and natural environment to facilitate healing and growth for each client. Her holistic approach to therapy is collaborative in nature, seeking to empower her clients to successfully move through life’s perceived obstacles. Gerson works with all populations with a specific focus on adolescents, young adults, the LGBTQI community, and families. She has a background of working with depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse and relationship issues. She emphasizes the connection between an individual’s thought process, feelings and behaviors to facilitate healing and growth for each client.
- Stephanie Koch’s approach to counseling is based on Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), which involves looking deeper into an individual’s way of thinking and finding the connections between those thoughts and the troublesome behaviors. She focuses on, but is not limited to, adolescents and adults who suffer from a variety of issues including eating disorders, sexual identity, substance abuse, depression and anxiety.
- Madison Christine sees therapy as a bond between the therapist and client which serves as a safe place for the client to be seen and heard on the deepest levels. Madison utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Creative Expression Therapy, and transpersonal psychology. Madison specializes in helping those suffering from sexual trauma, depression, grief and loss, LGBTQI, PTSD and anxiety. Madison works with all ages but has a love for working with children and empowering their voice and intelligence.
United Way of Northern New Mexico – 505.662.0800
