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Teresa Arizaga, MD

Psychiatrist
Doctor of Medicine

Chief Mental Health Officer

Dr. Teresa Arizaga is a Psychiatrist. A native New Mexican, Dr. Teresa Arizaga learned the importance of serving her community and medical profession at a young age. Dr. Arizaga obtained her B.A. in Psychology and chemistry from New Mexico State University. Choosing to remain in New Mexico to be near her family, she earned her M.D. in 2000, completing her residency in psychiatry in 2004 from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. She practiced at Gila Regional Medical Center beginning in 2005 and remained there for 15 years, and will always hold a special place in her heart for her patients, coworkers and experiences she shared at GRMC. She also ran a part time private practice for several years in Silver City, NM.

Entering a new era of practice, Teresa is excited to continue serving her community as the CMHO at Hidalgo Medical Services. It is her hope to continue developing best practices with existing programs and to collaborate with GRMC, county detention centers, local providers, and with others. It is her vision to enhance behavioral health systems for children as well as proactive measures that can come with outpatient support, including drug and alcohol treatment. She believes that together, the potential for continued high quality behavioral health systems can be attained. Teresa proudly raises her two children Elena Maria (11) and Enrique Luis (8).

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Sheryl Anderson, LMHC

Mental Health Therapist
Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Sheryl Anderson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New Mexico (LMHC), a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Ohio, a Registered Nurse (RN) in Ohio, and a Registered Art Therapist (ATR). She works with people of all ages to help clients reach their goals in life using evidenced –based interventions and interventions with expressive therapies. Sheryl holds a dual Master’s of Art degree in Counseling and Art Therapy from Ursuline College at Pepper Pike, Ohio, and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing from Kaplan University in Florida.

Sheryl uses a holistic approach for each client with an emphasis on individual choices in treatment. Sheryl is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, art therapy, trauma-informed care, group therapy, individual, and family therapy.

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Donna Caires, MSS, LCSW

Mental Health Therapist
Master of Social Science
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Donna Caires was born and raised in Hawaii. She studied music at The Evergreen State College and holds the degrees of Bachelor of Social Work from Western New Mexico University and Master of Social Service from Bryn Mawr College. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. A community member since 2008, Donna is committed to providing comprehensive and integrated Mental Health services through best practices with particular focus on trauma, and the impacts of chronic medical conditions which affect the wellbeing of individual, couples, families and our communities in Hidalgo and Grant County.

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Karen Curtin, LPCC

Mental Health Therapist
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Karen Curtin LPCC is an independently licensed professional counselor with twenty five years of experience providing inspired mental health treatment. Karen earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree from Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, New Hampshire. Karen has dedicated her clinical focus on the treatment of psychological trauma, and became EMDRIA Certified as an EMDR Therapist in 2011. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is widely known as one of the most effective evidence based treatment modalities for the treatment of psychological trauma. Currently, Karen is an EMDRIA Consultant in Training.

Karen attended Massachusetts College of Art and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics with a minor in painting. Karen enjoys working creatively with clay and paint, is an avid journal writer, and lifelong yoga practitioner. Karen moved to New Mexico from New England in 2013, and still adores the high desert natural world, red chili, and the big sky sunsets.

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Matthew Dahlsten, LPCC

Mental Health Therapist
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Matthew Dahlsten is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. He completed his Undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of New Mexico and his Masters in Counseling at the University of New Mexico in 2008. He then worked for many years as a case manager for severely mentally ill and homeless individuals, as a paratransit bus driver for the disabled and elderly and as a staff member in a day treatment center for homeless teenagers.

Since then he has been working in community mental health agencies providing counseling services to adolescents, adults, couples and families in New Mexico. He has been living and working in Silver City since 2013 and has worked as a mental health counselor at HMS since 2015. He has felt grateful to be able to provide professional counseling services that help to improve the mental health, relationships and quality of life for the people in this community.

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Frida Gonzalez, LPCC

Mental Health Therapist
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Frida Gonzalez is a Mental Health Therapist, and works with a diverse range of mental health issues and enjoys helping and working with anxiety, depression, and grief - working primarily with adults. She got her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of the Fraser Valley. In 2014 she got her Master of Arts in Counseling from Western New Mexico University and began working at HMS. As a child of immigrant parents and an immigrant herself, Frida enjoys working with bilingual patients as well as culturally diverse populations

As a child of immigrant parents and an immigrant herself, Frida enjoys working with bilingual patients as well as culturally diverse populations. In addition to working and serving the Grant County population, Frida likes to volunteer in the community and serves on a Forums Committee, is a member of 24 Club, and has taught for the Language Institute at WNMU.

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Patricia Hamilton, LCSW

Director of Community Mental Health Services
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Patti graduated from University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2000 with a Master in Social Work and from Park University in 1983 with Bachelors in Social Psychology. She most recently worked at Gila Regional Medical Services as the psychotherapist in the Behavior Health Unit after retirement as a Child Protective Supervisor with New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department in 2016. Patti has worked with a diverse population of clients since 1990: foster and adopted children and their families, trauma survivors, the homeless, chemical dependent individuals, LGBTQ, former incarcerated individuals and individuals diagnosed with DSM-5 diagnoses both inpatient and outpatient. Her practice is based on a Strength-Based Approach focusing on individuals’ self-determination and strength within their systems, specifically seeing clients and families as resourceful and resilient when in adverse conditions.

Patti was born and raised in rural East Tennessee. Patti is married to Tim, also a Social Worker and has 2 daughters, 3 stepdaughters and 1 stepson who have given her wonderful grandchildren.

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Andrew LeFave, LMSW, LCSW

Mental Health Therapist
Licensed Master Social Worker

Andy LeFave is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, who works with people who want to transform their current life into their best life. Andy holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. He supports the client's change process with a combined approach, a strategic focus on helping clients get clear and connected to their personal beliefs, meaning, and sense of purpose and a tactical focus on finding mindfulness in the present moment and making effective choices.

Andy is a US Army and Department of Defense Veteran and has worked as a counselor at Army and Air Force bases across the United States, in the Middle East and Asia. He also started and ran a regional Employee Assistance Program in his long-time home of Austin Texas. He and his wife Laura moved to Silver City two years ago, and are excited to be part of this great community.

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Natahsa McCants, LCSW

Mental Health Therapist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Natasha McCants joined HMS in June, 2015 as a mental health therapist. She earned her Masters of Social Work degree from Western New Mexico University in Silver City, New Mexico. After graduation, she worked towards her independent licensure in social work by completing her supervision hours required and passing her clinical social work exam in 2019. Natasha holds a Bachelors of Social Work from Western New Mexico University and an Associate of Arts in Human Service Management from University of Phoenix. She currently serves as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Hidalgo Medical Services in Lordsburg, New Mexico. Natasha is humbled and grateful to be able to work in her native home town and share her craft that she studied with the purpose of giving back to her community. She enjoys spending her time with her two sons, her mother, the family dog and friends. She likes connecting to nature, rock hunting, shopping, yoga and watching her favorite series.

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Melissa Palmer, LPCC

Mental Health Therapist
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Melissa Palmer has worked as a licensed mental health therapist in Silver City since 2001. Along with offering psychotherapy services to clients with a variety of issues, she also provides clinical supervision for some therapists as well as the Comprehensive Community Support Services (CCSS) program, and also devotes part of her time focusing on quality improvement at HMS. She graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, and from Western New Mexico University with a Master of Arts degree in Counseling.

Melissa started her career working mainly with children and adolescents utilizing play and art therapy, and has specialized in trauma treatment with clients of all ages throughout her career. She has been facilitating a therapy group focusing on improving substance abuse and trauma symptoms for the past year. Melissa ensures clients receive assistance to manage all aspects of their health, including their mental and physical health, as well as learning how to maintain healthy relationships and ensuring their community resource needs are met.

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Blanca Ramos-Gaona, LMSW

Mental Health Therapist
Licensed Master Social Worker

Blanca Ramos-Gaona is a bilingual English/Spanish Behavioral Health Provider. She graduated with honors from the Master's of Social Work program at Western New Mexico University. Blanca earned an Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, obtained an Early Childhood and Family Services associate degree of Arts from Western New Mexico University, and completed a Child Development associate degree from New Mexico State University.

Blanca’s human-relationship experience includes coordinating social services department, delivering early intervention services to children with developmental delays, providing comprehensive services to children in foster care, coordinating behavioral health services to youth in juvenile probation legal system, facilitating connection to mental health services to teens facing substance abuse and other behavioral health issues, collaborating in the care of women in children in shelter for domestic violence, and providing comprehensive mental health services to families and children.

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Pat Rowan, PS

Clinical Psychologist
Doctor of Psychology

Dr. Rowan has been an HMS psychologist since 2017. She earned her Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) degree in Clinical Psychology from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduation, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in general adult psychology and psychoeducational assessment. Dr. Rowan also holds a BS in General Studies degree from Washington State University, a BS degree in Computer Science from Sonoma State University, and an MA degree in Applied Psychology from Golden Gate University. Pat enjoys training and mentoring new therapists and feels that the HMS approach integrating medical, psychological, and social services provides an excellent training ground for interns to hone their skills in general mental health as practiced in a multicultural, rural environment. She is hoping to complete her private pilot’s license in the near future.

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Susan Russo

Mental Health Therapist

Susan Russo is a L.P.C.C. and graduated from Webster University with a Master Degree in Counseling. Susan has twenty years of experience in the Mental Health and Substance Use Field with experience including: Program and Clinical Director; Clinical Supervisor; Intake Coordination; Crisis Response Coordination; and Utilization Management and Quality Assurance. Susan’s direct care experience includes but is not limited to Crisis/Suicide assessemnt/intervention; Diagnosis and treatment of multicultural and SED adults; adolescents and children presenting with dual diagnosis; chemical dependency; anger management; grief and loss; and verbal, physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse and trauma.

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Lucia Salazar, LCSW

Mental Health Therapist & Tu Casa Clinical Supervisor
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Lucia Salazar is a licensed mental health therapist who works with people struggling with substance use disorders and/or mental health issues, helping them find sustainable recovery and make positive life changes. Lucia holds a Master of Latin American Studies and a Master of Social Work degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Lucia believes in an integrative, team approach, with the client at the center. The goal is to engage in a collaborative effort, utilizing the person’s unique strengths, to engage hope, develop skills, and build resilience. Lucia has over 30 years of clinical experience across a variety of settings, including working as a mental health therapist and trainer for the Peace Corps in Guatemala.

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Consuelo Sanchez Paul, LADAC

Tu Casa Substance Abuse Counselor
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor

Consuelo S. Paul is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. She completed her Undergraduate degree in Psychology at Centro de Estudios Universitarios in Monterrey, NL; Mexico in 1977. She came to the United States in 1989 and started working, first under supervision of an Independent Licensee, on the fields of Substance Abuse in the States of Arizona, becoming independent licensee in 1998. She worked in the State of Arizona, providing Out-Patient Treatment Services to Pinal County residents for a few years, and then she worked for 10 years in the Arizona Prison System in Florence AZ, providing In-Patient Treatment Services (Therapeutic Community) to Hawaii and Alaska Inmates.

Consuelo came and obtained her Independent License in the State of New Mexico in 2005 and since then she has been able to provide Substance Abuse services to residents in Luna, Hidalgo and Grant Counties working with State and Federal Contracts. She likes to commit herself to help people who want to better their lives for themselves and their families; she feels thankful for the opportunity to work in Grant County.

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Donald Shelander LMSW

Mental Health Therapist

Donald earned his Master of Social Work degree in 2018 from Western New Mexico University and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Social Psychology from Park University in 2014. Donald worked for HMS in 2017 as a Community Support Specialist while completing his Master’s degree. After graduating, Donald returned to his hometown Corpus Christi, Texas and worked as a Nephrology Social Worker at a dialysis clinic. In addition, he worked as a Hospice Social Worker, providing counseling to hospice patients and their families before returning to HMS as a Mental Health Therapist.

Donald’s firsthand knowledge regarding the struggles of addiction taught him that everyone has the ability to change negative behaviors once they are determined to make those changes.

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Eddeana Ueland, BA, LADAC

Tu Casa Director
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor

Eddeana has an undergraduate degree in Bachelor’s of Art in Counseling. She attended UNM, Louisiana State to concentrate on Addiction Studies, She Came to New Mexico in 1996. She has extensive knowledge in substance use/abuse disorders. She has worked in Therapeutic communities both in a prison setting and out of prison. She came to New Mexico to assist with the startup of Amity at Fort Stanton where she lived and worked until 2003.

She then worked for Dept. of Corrections as a probation/parole officer for two years. She also worked in the prison as an Addition’s Counselor. In 2009 She came to Grant county to be the clinical supervisor of Yucca Lodge. She was the Yucca Lodge Program Director from 2010-2017 when the DOH relocated Yucca Lodge to Roswell, NM. In 2020 she retired from The Department of Health.

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Michael Villines, LADAC

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor

Michael Villines was born in Silver City but lived in Phoenix for 35 years. Michael served in the US Army. He has firsthand knowledge of the struggles of addiction. Graduated from NMSU in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical dependency. Has worked for Yucca Lodge at Fort Bayard, Core Civic Correctional Facility in Grants, New Mexico Rehabilitation Center in Roswell, and Trauma and Recovery Centers here in Silver City before joining the HMS community.

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Shiphrah Williams-Evans: PhD, PMHNP, BC FNP, BC, MAT

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Shiphrah Williams-Evans has been a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner since 2007. She became a Family Nurse Practitioner in 1996 and has worked in rural health, palliative care/hospice and family health. Dr. Williams-Evans earned her PhD from Oklahoma State University, MS from the University of Oklahoma, BSN from University of Tulsa, APRN from Delta State University and SANE NURSE certification from UNC/Chapel Hill.

A great portion of her experience has been in academia. She has held the position of Dean, Professor, Director of Graduate Clinical Programs in various institutions. Dr. Williams-Evans began teaching at the University of South Alabama in 2003, retiring in 2018. She taught students on the undergraduate and graduate level, assisting them in obtaining their DNP, MSN and NP. During this time, she obtained a Post Graduate Certificate as a family nurse practitioner with emphasis on psychiatric mental health. She developed and went through that same program in 1993 prior to becoming a NP. It was the first program in the United States to have clinical focus in Psychiatric Mental Health and Child Health 10 years before certification exams were required. Most recently, she has worked inpatient psychiatric care in the areas of emergency department evaluation and inpatient acute mental health settings, which including crises stabilization and detox. She has also worked extensively in outpatient settings and psychiatric consultations with accreditation agencies, education, and clinical settings. In addition, Dr. Williams-Evans has served as an expert witness in various court settings.

Dr. Williams-Evans is the second of seven siblings, a mother of two, and a grandmother of six. Some fun facts about her include the following: she loves to dance; was a high fashion model in the past; and sang once on national television.

When Dr. Williams-Evans has free time, she enjoys horseback riding, bowling, creative writing, program development, and grant writing.