Rio Grande Counseling & Guidance Services

1010 Las Lomas Road NE, Suite 4 Albuquerque, NM 87102

About Rio Grande Counseling & Guidance Services

Rio Grande Counseling and Guidance Services is a non-crisis mental health agency in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They provide counseling for adults dealing with any emotional challenge including substance abuse disorders. Their services are available 7 days a week by appointment only.

There are many different types of therapies that can be helpful for dealing with mental illness. Your therapist will work with you to set realistic goals and discuss the different treatment options for you.

Many previous clients wrote that they have tried many therapists and have had the best experience ever at Rio Grande. The negative reviews all have replies from the owner which are thoughtful and specific to that review (not just a generic apology).

Rio Grande accepts many insurance providers including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Centennial Care (Medicaid), Cigna, Friday Health Plan, Molina Marketplace, Presbyterian Health Plan, and Western Sky among others. Their reception staff can discuss coverage and payment options with you.

Latest Reviews

Kerra Avraham

2 months ago on Google

SOFIA IS THE BEST. She is hands down the best therapist I have ever met, or even heard of from friends, much less had the extreme joy and gratitude to be treated by. Sofia has ACTUALLY made a difference in my life and my mind. I came to her with undiagnosed PTSD and she picked up on it and has worked with me to develop/grow healthy coping strategies and heal my mind from the traumas. I could cry thinking of how grateful I am that God brought me to her. She has been patient, gentle, encouraging, AND dug down deep with me to really get at the roots of issues, and to actually WORK on them. She does listen and help me talk through stuff, and she has also helped me actually get better. I am so immensely grateful. Even when I couldn t see the light at the end of the tunnel of trauma therapy, I trusted her because of the experience I had with her up until the point that we started the trauma therapy. She told me there was a light, better living, and joy-filled days. Even though I couldn t see it myself, I trusted her experience and she helped me heal and walked me to the light. She has continued to research and grow her own skills to become a great therapist and it really shows in how effective she is. She s literally amazing. SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE THIS WOMAN A RAISE cause she is incredible in her work.

Response from the owner2 months ago

Thank you so very much for taking time to post your inspiring comments! We agree...Sofia is definitely a truly dedicated and very well-studied practitioner. We're so very grateful to have her with us! It's very good to know that she has been such a strong inspiration. Thanks again, and I sure hope we can squeeze in that raise...we'll try! That's a promise. I'm glad things are working. Keep on seeing and following that light in yourself. Keep on keeping on, and you'll get to where you want to go.

J.R. M.

5 months ago on Google

Incompetent scheduling. They will say your visit is in-person, but it s actually telehealth.

Response from the owner1 month ago

We offer both In-Person and Telehealth services. However, our In-Person services are limited due to staff shortages and usually completely booked for many weeks out Anyone wanting to access our services are welcome to be put on a waitlist for In-Person services, but you can also choose Telehealth instead (sometimes Telehealth might also have a waitlist, but it usually not as long). Remember that most outpatient agencies like us are not crisis or emergency facilities. If you require immediate attention, you should always call 9-8-8 or 9-1-1 or visit your nearest Emergency Care for life-threatening situations, medical emergencies or crisis-situations that might require immediate attention. Facebook: (4.7 Thousand) LIKES and FOLLOWERS can t be wrong! Join us! https://www.facebook.com/therapyservicesNM/ One of the goals in the counseling process is to help clients take their own responsibility to find ways of exploring creative and positive choices to manage challenges for themselves at any given moment, and we d be happy to assist you if you want to call back and be put on our waitlist for In-Person services (or Telehealth). We promise that our actual "scheduling" process is handled by courteous and competent folks despite the perfections and imperfections that come with being human. Otherwise, there are also plenty of other agencies and competent practitioners in the Albuquerque area that would be ready to assist you as well. If you need assistance in finding any, please call your insurance representative for more information. Or, you could Google some other options in your area. Call us back if you want to reconsider (505) 246-8700 Otherwise, we wish you well

Amber Bradford

1 year ago on Google

Lynn is the best therapist I've ever had! She is welcoming and has a healing manner about her!!

Response from the owner8 months ago

Thank you so very much for taking time to post your positive comments! Lynn is definitely a very dedicated, well-studied and true professional. We're so very grateful to have her with us. It's very good to know that she has been a strong inspiration. Thanks again for posting

Rehab Score

Our Methodology

Scoring is assigned by a proprietary system which helps surface key metrics that determine quality. The 10-point scale factors in categories such as operations, customer satisfaction, and trust metrics. Read Full Methodology

6.9 / 10

Gallery

Rio Grande Counseling and Guidance Services NM 87102

The facilities at Rio Grande Counseling and Guidance Services in Albuquerque, NM 1

Location

Accepted Insurance

Rio Grande Counseling & Guidance Services works with several private insurance providers and also accepts private payments when possible, please contact to verify your specific insurance provider.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Presbyterian Health Plan

Other Forms of Payment

Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.

Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.

Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

Outpatient

Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.

Intensive Outpatient

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) provide robust support for clients who choose to remain in their own homes or who are reintegrating into their community following inpatient care. IOP treatment generally consists of a combination of individual, group, and family counseling, recovery-focused life skills training, and evidence-based holistic therapies. Many intensive outpatient rehabs also offer medication assisted treatment (MAT) for clients in alcohol and/or opioid recovery. Clients in IOP typically receive nine to 20 hours of treatment weekly.

Aftercare Support

Rehab aftercare programs promote clients' long-term recovery by providing a robust continuum of care aligned with clients' evolving needs. Because addiction is a chronic disease prone to relapse, rehab aftercare services are highly client-focused and uniquely responsive to clients' changing medical, mental health, and social circumstances. Case managers and care teams collaborate with clients, assess their goals and needs, and provide access to recovery-focused resources, such as peer coaching, employment assistance, and relapse prevention services.

Treatments

The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.

Each drug rehab in New Mexico offers unique amenities and treatment methods. Common aspects of treatment include group and individual counseling, recreational therapy, medication management, and healthy living. Aftercare is often provided to prevent relapse.

A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.

Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Programs

Adult Program

Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.

Young Adult Program

Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.

Clinical Services

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

Creative arts therapy gives you the opportunity to express yourself in ways beyond words. Your therapist will help you use creative activities to explore emotions and process difficult situations.

With a therapist's guidance, experiential therapy in New Mexico provides hands on interventions that give you deeper access to your motivations, creativity, and emotions. This mode of therapy allows you to reflect on your experiences and resolve inner conflicts you may have ignored in the past.

Amenities

Private Rooms

Contact Information

(505) 246-8700

Website

1010 Las Lomas Road NE
Suite 4
Albuquerque, NM 87102

Get Help Now - 505-644-0154

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Reviews of Rio Grande Counseling & Guidance Services

3.25/5 (72 reviews)

Google Reviews

3.2 (69 reviews)

Tanya Becke

2 days ago

I have been meaning to write a review for this wonderful counseling agency for some time. My experience here has been life changing. My counselor has helped me in so many ways. I have learned a variety of coping skills to manage my depression, improve my parenting, and my relationship with my husband is the best it has ever been. I also appreciate how easy it was to get started, one of the best choices i have made for myself and my family. I recommend Rio Grande Counseling wholeheartedly. Thank you!

Beatnik Hart

4 days ago

I just want to thank Linnae Lucero. She is literally the best therapist I have ever worked with after many years and trying different people. You all have a really great therapist there.

Nope None

1 month ago

Update is one of the worst places I have taken my child to. Absolutely, do not suggest this place as a service provider. JT is one of your representatives, my daughter and son, went there for 3 years, and I will say it was the worst. I also have bills for your company so unfortunately yes it is your company.

Response from the ownerInvalid relative date format:

We only see adult clients at our agency. I think you might have us confused with some other facility? Still, we wish you and your child the best. Update: You must have been here years ago? I’m sorry for the confusion and to hear about your experience (However, we do hope something good must have come out after “3 years” of work.). But we are hopeful to hear that if we might have been “the worst” experience, perhaps you were able to find something much better? We really do hope so. The therapeutic journey can be so different for everyone (you can tell by our Google reviews!). In most cases, therapy always involves human complexity and outcomes that are sometimes not seen right away. It's important to be able to recognize and harness the good things that do come from therapy. But that’s not always easy to do. The therapy process itself can involve very delicate and nuanced interactions of individual differences between therapist and client that might require flexibility on both sides. Sometimes it might be a process of planting seeds that will bloom in time. But it’s important to remember that the trick is not to give up trying (with all the honesty and transparency you can give). And it sounds like you did not give up. That’s a good thing (even if it meant going elsewhere for services). In therapy, everyone brings a unique history, their beliefs, and their own ways of experiencing the world. However, what works for one person may not work for someone else. That might be due to many factors such as a particular therapy approach that “feels weird to do”, or sometimes the client might feel there is a mismatch with a particular therapist “she’s too young, too old, or doesn’t look like what a therapist should look like!” (That can happen with other professionals like dentists, doctors, attorneys). Often, clients come with a preconceived idea of what therapy is or “should be” that they might get from social media or television shows. For those reasons, some persons may be somewhat resistant to change or struggle to fully engage in the “real life” therapeutic process because “it isn’t like what I saw on TikTok or on Jennifer Hudson”, or “it’s not helping me right away.” Therapy is also not always an easy process because it can sometimes trigger difficult emotions or lead to unexpected changes that people are not accustomed to and may not be comfortable with at first. What everyone should know is that therapy is not always a quick fix, and progress may take time and effort and an honest willingness to embrace change and flexibility. Three years can be a short time for some clients, or a long time as well. Everyone must be prepared to go at their own pace and continue to work with commitment and patience. Often clients may experience setbacks, and it’s important not to give up so that you can be able to continue to maintain positive progress. There are a good number of providers in Albuquerque that work with children and families, and we are sure every one of these places has the best heart and is committed to being helpful to their clients. It’s important to remember that they all go into this profession due to the inherent faith in their hearts and souls that it's possible to help others find joy and happiness for themselves. But therapy can sure feel like a very challenging process at times. We do hope you found the place that can help keep you going strong. Remember, parents are the primary bows that determine how far their arrows can fly. For a lot of parents, being present, aware, gentle, understanding, flexible, and always aiming toward protection, nurturing and love (Isn’t that what we all wanted from our own parents?)...Most important – practice patience, and don’t be afraid to take care of yourself. Do the best you can, and your children might just soar like eagles in the sun. We hope you and your children are doing well, and we do wish you the best.

Lily

Very unprofessional staff, and very defensive review responses

It can feel disappointing when the world and people won't always work the way we'd like them to. We would say to anyone that we are sorry to hear they had a negative experience. One of the purposes of counseling (therapy) is to help people accept that the world and people won't always work the way we'd like them too, or the way they “should”. We try to help folks to be accepting and creative about finding constructive ways of getting what you want and need from other people, from the world, and from life (even if you don’t always have good experiences). The important thing is to keep trying. If our services didn’t work out for you, there are plenty of other agencies you can try. But, no matter where you try, the trick is to give any therapist a very good and strong opportunity to help. This means that even when therapy feels like it’s getting too hard to do, you might need to be ready to commit yourself to stick to it and see it through. Therapy is not always perfect and easy, but you will usually come out the better for it. Therapy teaches us that it’s important to remember never to give up when hiccups in life happen. In therapy, if anyone starts on the path to help themselves, it’s important to keep walking. Because the further you walk, the closer you get to where you want to go, and where you want to be (despite the mud we sometimes encounter on our path). Keep going. Keep walking. Please know what we’re on your side, and we’ll keep working with you and for you until you get where you want to go. We encourage anyone to give us a call. Unfortunately, posting anything on Google won’t solve anything. Just reach out to us during business hours when you’re ready. Or, we encourage you to try some other places too 😉 Customer Service (505) 219-3177 Ext 6 Also, please know that we are not a crisis facility. If have a mental health crisis or emergency and need to talk to someone right away, you can dial 9-8-8 for help at any time (this is a 24/7 free service). (You can also call 9-1-1). https://988lifeline.org/ Facebook: (4.6 Thousand) LIKES and FOLLOWERS. Come take a look and Join us! https://www.facebook.com/therapyservicesNM/

Jennifer H

Oh, I do have something to say & if you notice, my review was from 2 years or more ago. I don't know if this particular counselor/woman is even there any longer. I read your response. We don't expect your counselors to read minds but we do expect them to be courteous, compassionate, kind & helpful. Instead, we got a woman who was rude, difficult to schedule with & who ultimately got into trouble by my counselor elsewhere for mistreating my boyfriend, now fiancee. Nobody should be asked to take a lie detector test when they open up & share past abuse. She eventually called & apologized to him & offered to see him once again. By then though, the damage was done & trust broken. I originally talked my fiancee into going & trying counseling & it took awhile for him to agree & then only to regret it. Now he's closed off from it & I honestly & truthfully cannot blame him, which is a sad thing to say. I know counselors & psychiatrists who see counselors. It's such an important & crucial job & needs to be treated with the upmost respect & professionalism. Everything a counselor says & does impacts their client/patient at the time & in the future. Some people don't understand that, unfortunately. So I will keep that rating & review because this place was so pivotal in forming the way my fiancee views counseling/counselors in general. He hasn't trusted or seen one since.

We're sorry to hear about your experience. (Please accept our congratulations on your engagement, btw), and we thank you very much for sharing. Open and honest communication is always what we strive for. We are always open to discussing your experience with you as we do strive to hold a high standard of our general practice, and we would like to see if there’s anything we might be able to do to set it right and improve our services. If you would like to give us a call to talk further, please do so at any time. Phone (505) 219-3177 Ext 6 (M-F 9:30am to 6:30pm) .

Austin Weahkee

2 months ago

Nothing to say? Contrary to popular belief, we can't read minds 🙁 We also can't help anyone if they don't open up and let us know what's going on. So, tell us what's going on? Otherwise, you'll have to keep on living with whatever disappointed you, and that's no fun 🙁 People might think that posting something on Google will help matters. But, it really can't help much at all. Google is nothing more than a medium for marketing, and only cares about gaining as many subscribers as it can. But, we think YOU matter. You are a unique person and we'd love to hear what you have to say...So, give us a call and talk to us. We'll do what we can to work with you and do out best to resolve any matter to your satisfaction, person to person: (505) 219-3177 Ext 6 Also, please know that we are not a crisis facility. If you have a mental health crisis or emergency that needs immediate attention, please dial 9-8-8 to speak to someone 24/7 (or, you can also dial 9-1-1) Facebook: (4.6 Thousand) LIKES and FOLLOWERS. Come take a look and Join us 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/therapyservicesNM/

SOFIA IS THE BEST. She is hands down the best therapist I have ever met, or even heard of from friends, much less had the extreme joy and gratitude to be treated by. Sofia has ACTUALLY made a difference in my life and my mind. I came to her with undiagnosed PTSD and she picked up on it and has worked with me to develop/grow healthy coping strategies and heal my mind from the traumas. I could cry thinking of how grateful I am that God brought me to her. She has been patient, gentle, encouraging, AND dug down deep with me to really get at the roots of issues, and to actually WORK on them. She does listen and help me talk through stuff, and she has also helped me actually get better. I am so immensely grateful. Even when I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel of trauma therapy, I trusted her because of the experience I had with her up until the point that we started the trauma therapy. She told me there was a light, better living, and joy-filled days. Even though I couldn’t see it myself, I trusted her experience and she helped me heal and walked me to the light. She has continued to research and grow her own skills to become a great therapist and it really shows in how effective she is. She’s literally amazing. SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE THIS WOMAN A RAISE cause she is incredible in her work.

6 months ago

Incompetent scheduling. They will say your visit is in-person, but it’s actually telehealth.

We offer both In-Person and Telehealth services. However, our In-Person services are limited due to staff shortages and usually completely booked for many weeks out ☹ Anyone wanting to access our services are welcome to be put on a waitlist for In-Person services, but you can also choose Telehealth instead (sometimes Telehealth might also have a waitlist, but it usually not as long). Remember that most outpatient agencies like us are not crisis or emergency facilities. If you have a mental health crisis or emergency an might require immediate attention, you should always call 9-8-8 (or 9-1-1) or visit your nearest Emergency Care for life-threatening situations, medical emergencies or crisis-situations. One of the goals in the counseling process is to help clients take their own responsibility to find ways of exploring creative and positive choices to manage challenges for themselves at any given moment, and we’d be happy to assist you if you want to call back and be put on our waitlist for In-Person services (or Telehealth). We promise that our actual "scheduling" process is handled by courteous and competent folks despite the perfections and imperfections that come with being human. Otherwise, there are also plenty of other agencies and competent practitioners in the Albuquerque area that would be ready to assist you as well. If you need assistance in finding any, please call your insurance representative for more information. Or, you could Google some other options in your area. Call us back if you want to reconsider (505) 246-8700 Otherwise, we wish you well 😊 Facebook: (4.6 Thousand) LIKES and FOLLOWERS. Come take a look and Join us! https://www.facebook.com/therapyservicesNM/

1 year ago

Miah Ziah

Thank you so very much for taking time to post your positive review! 😊 Facebook: (4.6 Thousand) LIKES and FOLLOWERS. Come take a look and Join us! https://www.facebook.com/therapyservicesNM/

Jordan Gutierrez

I've been attending sessions with JM at Rio Grande Counseling & Guidance Services for two years, and it's an understatement to say that this journey has been life-changing. JM possesses a rare combination of qualities – relevance, understanding, patience, and an incredible ease to connect with. Her approach has not only been therapeutic but also educational, guiding me towards profound personal growth. The impact of JM's guidance is evident in every facet of my life. My interactions with colleagues, family, and friends have vastly improved, demonstrating a notable enhancement in my relationships. Professionally, I've experienced multiple promotions, a testament to the growth in my emotional intelligence and overall demeanor. Personally, I've adopted an unwavering positive outlook, learning to see the brighter side in every situation. What's remarkable about JM is her ability to make therapy accessible and appealing to anyone. She embodies the principle that therapy is a journey for everyone, provided you're open and willing to engage in the process of learning and growth. I owe a great deal to JM – her influence has ushered in a phase of happiness and contentment in my life that I had never experienced before. Her work is a prime example of the outstanding team and commitment at Rio Grande Counseling & Guidance Services to the well-being of the community. I wholeheartedly recommend JM and/or Rio Grande Counseling & Guidance Services to anyone seeking a transformative therapeutic experience.

Thank you so very much for taking time to post your positive comments! We're so very grateful to have JM with us, and it's truly very good to know that she has been a strong inspiration. It's all about learning to recognize, accept and and enjoy the joy when we create it and when it comes. It's always good to know when we're managing the barriers of life pretty darn well. We'd encourage anyone to keep on keepin' on! Thanks again for posting 😊

Molly Baird

2 years ago

As someone who has navigated the world of mediocre mental health services here in New Mexico, I feel very fortunate to have found this place. I see Sofia and she is without a doubt the best therapist I've ever had. She is knowledgeable, professional and knows her stuff. I've made more progress than I thought I was capable of. I would highly recommend her and Rio Grande. I've had nothing but good experiences here.

Response from the owner1 year ago

Thank you so much for your inspiring acknowledgment! We love Sofia. She is a very dedicated, well-studied and accomplished clinician, and a true professional. Thanks again for posting!

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