Business Details
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Mental Health Partner in Alamogordo, NM
The Counseling Center is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health and family support services to residents of Otero and Lincoln Counties. With over five decades of service in Otero County, we specialize in psychotherapy, crisis intervention, substance use counseling, and community-based prevention programs. Our mission prioritizes accessibility through sliding-scale fees and culturally competent care for individuals and families facing mental health challenges, psycho-emotional distress, or nonadaptive behavioral patterns. We maintain rigorous professional standards while offering telehealth options and medication management services. Our multidisciplinary team includes licensed clinicians, case managers, and prevention specialists who deliver evidence-based interventions tailored to each client's unique needs.Through programs like the Otero County Overdose Prevention Program and Community Based Prevention Intervention and Reunification Services, we address both immediate crises and long-term systemic issues affecting vulnerable populations. Our commitment to equity ensures services remain available regardless of clients' financial circumstances, race, religion, or background. The agency's holistic approach combines individual counseling with community education initiatives to foster resilience and prevent maltreatment across generations. By integrating clinical expertise with practical support services, we empower families to achieve stability and self-sufficiency while navigating complex social challenges.
Services
Mental Health Counseling
Overdose Prevention Program
Family Support Services
Tutoring for Youth
Crisis Intervention
Substance Use Counseling
Family Reunification Services
Community Prevention Programs
Tele-Med Services
Youth Intervention Programs
Highlights and features
- We have provided mental health services in Otero County for over 50 years
- Our sliding scale fees ensure accessibility for all income levels
- We offer comprehensive services from crisis intervention to prevention programs
- Our team includes licensed clinicians with specialized behavioral health expertise
- We provide community-based solutions addressing both individual and systemic challenges
Services
Mental Health Counseling
We provide comprehensive mental health counseling for individuals, families, and groups facing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Our licensed clinicians deliver evidence-based treatments through in-person and telehealth sessions. With over 50 years serving Otero County, we combine clinical expertise with compassionate care to address behavioral health challenges across all age groups.
Overdose Prevention Program
This initiative offers free Narcan/Naloxone training, drug deactivation bags, and overdose education to combat opioid-related emergencies. Community members learn life-saving techniques and safe storage practices through interactive workshops. The program partners with local organizations to distribute prevention resources and raise awareness about substance use disorders.
Family Support Services
Our home-based programs provide crisis intervention and practical assistance to families at risk of child maltreatment. Case managers help meet basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare while building protective factors. Services include parenting education, resource coordination, and intensive support to prevent out-of-home placements for children up to age 17.
Tutoring Services
Free academic support is available for students aged 10-17 through our Community Alternative Placement Program. Certified tutors help improve educational outcomes while addressing behavioral challenges. The program maintains small class sizes to ensure personalized attention, with waitlist management for high-demand periods.
Crisis Intervention
Walk-in crisis appointments are available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm for urgent mental health needs. Our team provides immediate assessment and stabilization services for individuals experiencing acute distress. Additional 24/7 support comes through partnership with New Mexico's statewide crisis line and peer support warmline resources.
People
Kim Richards
Chief Executive Officer
Kim Richards leads The Counseling Center's strategic operations with decades of executive experience in nonprofit behavioral health services. She oversees program development and community partnerships while ensuring adherence to clinical excellence standards across all service lines.
Michele Horrell
Chief Operations Officer
Michele Horrell manages daily operations and service delivery coordination. With extensive background in social work administration, she ensures efficient implementation of clinical programs while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements for the agency's diverse service portfolio.
Howard Hill
Clinical Director
As Clinical Director, Howard Hill supervises mental health service provision. A licensed independent social worker and clinical substance abuse counselor, he provides clinical oversight for therapy programs and professional development initiatives for the agency's counseling staff.
Cecelia Bernal
CBPIR Supervisor
Cecelia Bernal leads the Community Based Prevention Intervention and Reunification team. Holding advanced degrees in social work and education, she coordinates home-visitation programs that prevent child maltreatment through family support services and community resource connections.
Shawna Pratt
Chief Financial Officer
Shawna Pratt manages financial operations and resource allocation for The Counseling Center. Her expertise in nonprofit financial management ensures sustainable program funding while maintaining fiscal responsibility across the organization's multiple service lines and grant-funded initiatives.
Questions
What mental health services do you offer?
We provide individual, group, and family counseling for depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, and behavioral disorders through licensed clinicians and telehealth options.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept most private insurance plans and offer sliding-scale fees based on income to ensure accessible care for all community members.
How can I get emergency mental health help?
Walk-in crisis appointments are available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. For after-hours emergencies, contact New Mexico's 24/7 crisis line at 1-855-NM-CRISIS.
What youth programs are available?
We offer tutoring for ages 10-17, Boys Council/Girls Circle groups, and community corrections programs focusing on education and behavioral support for at-risk youth.
Do you provide substance abuse treatment?
Our services include substance use counseling, medication management, and the Otero County Overdose Prevention Program with free naloxone training and distribution.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Otero and Lincoln Counties, offering home-visitation services and community programs tailored to the specific needs of these regions.