Let us help you inspire positive change during your time here at NMT!
Welcome to the Counseling Center!
Office Hours and Location:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Counseling Center is located on the first floor of the Joseph A. Fidel Center.The
entrance is outside of Fidel on the NW side of the building, adjacent to Workman.
We are co-located with the Student Health Center.
Scheduling an Appointment
You will be contacted within 1 to 2 business days by email to schedule an appointment
based on the availability indicated on the form you submit. Students with emergencies
can be seen immediately during regular office hours Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00
pm. For after-hour emergencies please contact Campus Police at 575-835-5434.
New Clients
The Request for Services Form is for students seeking services from the Counseling Center. Please complete the
form below, and be sure to complete the last question requesting three (3) different
dates and times that you are available for an appointment.
Purpose: The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to students regarding no shows
or late cancellations of appointments for the Counseling Center. Why: The Counseling Center is funded, in part, by student fees and there is an expectation
that student fees be handled in a responsible way. When students do not show up to
a scheduled appointment, valuable professional time goes without being used and other
NMT students are not able to access services in a timely manner. How: In order to cancel an appointment, students need to call the Counseling Center at
575-835-6619 or email at counseling@nmt.edu by 3 pm the day before the scheduled appointment.
A $25 No-Show Fee will be billed to the student account for any missed in-person or tele-therapy appointments
not cancelled by 3 pm the day prior. Waivers: We understand that there are unforeseen circumstances that may prevent someone from
providing adequate notice of a cancellation. If you believe that you have a justifiable reason
for missing an appointment without notification and would like consideration for waiving
this fee, notify the Counseling Center in writing within 1 week (5 business days)
of missed session. Every late cancellation or no-show waiver will be assessed on an
individual basis and each student will only be allowed 1 waiver. We reserve the right
to deny services to any student who has missed two or more counseling appointments
without notice during the course of the academic year. Students who are denied services
will be referred out to local/community providers for their mental health needs.
Cancellation of Appointments
We require 24 hours notice by phone 575-835-6619 or email counseling@nmt.edu. Students who miss two or more consecutive appointments (without providing notice) may be referred to community services should they require
psychological care.
Eligibility
Currently enrolled NMT graduate or undergraduate students registered for a minimum
of 6 credit hours are eligible for our services. The initial needs assessment appointment
is an opportunity for a clinician to determine if the services we offer are appropriate
for your needs and for you to decide if our services are a good fit for you.
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* Schedule with Melissa Begay for a Mind/Body Session *
Mind/Body Session
Description:
MindBody appointments are an integration of several physical and energy-based techniques
designed to reduce stress and its effects on our physical body. Each appointment is
a unique opportunity to connect with your body, find deep relaxation, and learn tools
to support well-being. The appointments are hands on and patients remain fully dressed
in comfortable, loose clothing.
Who benefits:
People dealing with acute or chronic stress, anxiety, pain, or hormonal issues. People
who feel healthy and want to create a strong foundation for maintaining well-being.
MindBody appointments are a nice complement to Behavioral Health care.
About the Provider:
Melissa Begay is the Director of the Recreation & Well-Being Center. She has been
a certified Yoga Teacher for 22 years, Personal Trainer for 25 years, Group Exercise
Instructor for 30 years, and a Precision Nutrition Coach for 10 years. Melissa is
a Mind-Body Advocate who knows the physical impacts of stress first-hand. She uses
tools such as Eden Method energy work, yoga, breath work, myofascial release and meridian
tapping to address the impacts of stress on the body.
Appointments:
MindBody appointments are held in the counseling service office. To schedule an appointment
with Melissa, use thislink:
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
Mission Statement:
We support an environment of holistic well-being as it pertains to the emotional,
inter-personal, and academic development of the entire Tech community through clinical
services, outreach, psychoeducation and consultation.
Vision:
Building a skillful, inclusive community where students, faculty and staff are empowered
to reach their full potential.
Scope of Our Clinical Services
The Counseling Center utilizes a brief, solution-focused counseling model in which
individual therapy sessions are offered on a short-term basis designed to help students
manage immediate problems and provide short-term solution-focused therapy to facilitate
adjustment to college. These services are ideal for issues that have arisen recently
or that are expected to resolve relatively quickly. Brief Therapy is often about bringing
successes into the client's awareness which tends to increase hopefulness. The goal
is for clinicians work as quickly as possible to facilitate adjustment, healthy functioning,
problem resolution, symptom relief, reduction of emotional distress, and increase
resilience with students to continue attending college and pursue their personal,
but more specifically their academic goals. Students who would like to speak with a clinician regarding a concern, but are not
considering therapy at the Counseling Center for themselves, may schedule a “consultation.”
Services within the Counseling Center
The first step is the initial needs assessment appointment where the clinician determines
the nature and impact of the presenting concerns and to identify options for addressing
these issues. If additional treatment is indicated, the clinician will recommend the
most effective method of treatment, which may include brief-solution focused treatment,
group counseling, career exploration, Academic Advising/Student Success, Student Access
Services, skills workshops, support from a peer supporter or referral to an off-campus
mental health provider. In some cases, the assessment appointment is sufficient for
identifying ways to address the problems.
Some of the concerns that are commonly addressed in short-term counseling at the Counseling
Center are:
Students whose needs fall outside the scope of services or scheduling availability
of the Counseling Center are referred to community resources. The Counseling Center
provides referral services after the initial needs assessment or as these factors
become more apparent during the course of services. Some of the issues that are commonly
addressed through referral to services outside of the Counseling Center for longer-term
or more intensive counseling include:
A desire or need to be seen weekly or desire for ongoing long-term psychotherapy
History of multiple hospitalizations; chronic suicidality and/or self-injurious behaviors;
history of repeated suicide attempt
Clear indications of a need for more intensive services
Indication that short-term therapy may be detrimental or non-beneficial
Evidence or risk of progressive deterioration in mental or emotional functioning
that requires intensive intervention
Exhibiting psychotic symptoms without willingness to follow treatment recommendations
Inability or unwillingness to provide the necessary information to thoroughly assess
symptoms
Students who are already receiving ongoing therapy with another mental health provider
Students seeking therapy for the sole purpose of obtaining documentation for another
office (i.e. ESA Letters, Residential Life)
Client concerns that required open-ended, ongoing psychotherapy before coming to NMT
A need for specialized services not available through the Counseling Center, as indicated
by:
Presence of significant drug or alcohol problems such as substance dependence and/or
past failed treatments; a need for drug testing
Presence of significant, long-standing and/or untreated eating disorder
Request for medications or medication management
Request for psychological evaluation for the purpose of employment clearance
Request for services to fulfill clients’ court-mandated assessment or treatment requirements
The general guidelines listed above are only intended to serve as a guide to assist
treatment decisions. Due to the nature and complexity of presenting concerns, decisions
regarding treatment recommendations and/or community referrals are made on an individual
basis by clinicians in consultation with the clinical team of the Counseling Center.
Overview of All Services
Individual Counseling
You will meet with a clinician one-on-one to address your concerns in a 30-minute
solution-focused session. During this meeting, you and your clinician will identify
1 well-defined goal, discuss the need for ongoing therapy and talk about a meeting
schedule. In individual counseling, people will often discuss relationship concerns,
family difficulties, feelings of depression or anxiety, academic issues, recovery
from traumatic events, or hopes of wanting to better their lives.
Couple's Counseling
The student and their partner will meet with a counselor to address relationship concerns
in standard up-to-45 minute sessions. Couples will be able to learn effective communication
skills, conflict resolution and to gain better insight into their relationship. At
least one client of the couple must meet NMT eligibility requirements for counseling.
Consultation
Clinicians offer free consultation to friends, family members, support network or
any on-looker who is concerned about a member of the NMT community. This may consist
of providing resources, planning next steps, offering support and/or assisting in
safety planning.
Crisis Intervention
Crisis intervention is offered in the event of a mental health emergency, including
safety concerns and recent loss, in order to assist the client to return to a state
of mental equilibrium.
Safety Assessment
A focused 30-minute diagnostic service provided by an independently licensed clinical
mental health clinician to assess if a client at risk to potentially harm themselves
or others and next steps to insure the client’s, or others, safety are determined.
Mental Health Outreach
We offer mental health outreach throughout the academic year. We hold events focusing
on increasing skills and reducing stigma, as well as provide mental health/psychoeducation
workshops. If you are interested in partnering with us for an event please fill out
the form below.
The State of New Mexico legally recognizes that communication between a counselor
and their client as privileged and confidential. We will not disclose your contacts
with us to your spouse/partner, your parents, professors, or anyone else without your
permission.
There are few narrow exceptions:
If you are in imminent danger to yourself or are a significant danger to someone else,
we have a legal obligation to break confidentiality to protect you and/or others.
If you are abusing children/vulnerable adults or inform us concerning someone who
is, then we have a legal responsibility to report this to the proper authorities.
Such a report could potentially lead to disclosure of your being a client and require
testimony concerning the suspected abuse.
If, as part of an employment process or security screening you sign a release of records
form about services received from us, we will ask that you sign our form to ensure
that you are freely and knowingly releasing a brief summary of your contact with us.
Your records can also be subpoenaed by a court of law (e.g. if you claimed emotional
damages in a lawsuit).
We also reserve the right to consult with the NMT Health Center and NMT Behavior Intervention
(BIT) Team when professionally appropriate.
Release of Information (ROI)
If you would like to request your file be sent to another provider, please follow
the procedure stated below. If you are a client who was seen more than 7 years ago,
we are not able to provide this request as we are only legally required to save records
for 7 years after last contact.
How to Request
Since all health records are strictly confidential, including mental health records, you must provide a written request specifying the information desired and where you wish it to be sent. The forms provided must be mailed or faxed to :
The Counseling Center New Mexico Tech 149 Fidel Building 801 Leroy Place Socorro, NM 87801 Fax: 575-835-6001
The Release of Information (ROI) must include:
Copy of a photo ID
Your name and address
Telephone number and e-mail address
Banner #900
Dates attended (including when you left, and whether or not you graduated)
Reason for Request
Your signature
If you choose to continue treatment with a new mental health provider and you would
like your information sent to them, send us an ROI and we will send your records to
your new mental health provider. Please allow at least two (2) weeks to process the request.
To download our Release of Information (ROI), click here.
Why is Mental Health Important?
Being aware of your overall health is important so that you can detect any symptoms
and seek professional help when necessary. While everyone is familiar familiar with
the symptoms and treatment options for common illnesses that affect their loved ones,
like the flu, migraines, or and (most recently) COVID-19, many people are unsure how to look after their mental health.
Why is Mental Health Awareness Important?
Raising mental health awareness can help you to understand your symptoms, find professional
treatment, and, perhaps most importantly, break the mental health stigma that leaves
so many people suffering in secret.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects
how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate
to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from
childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing
one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of
a problem:
Early Warning Signs
Eating or sleeping too much or too little
Pulling away from people and usual activities
Having low or no energy
Feeling numb or like nothing matters
Having unexplained aches and pains
Feeling helpless or hopeless
Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
Yelling or fighting with family and friends
Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head
Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
Thinking of harming yourself or others
Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work
or school
Our Providers:
We adhere to the Code of Ethics of the New Mexico Board of Clinical Mental Health
Counselors . Crisis intervention is available; counseling is provided on-site by a
New Mexico independently-licensed clinical mental health counselor (LPCC) and a New
Mexico licensed mental health counselor (LMHC).
Angela Gautier, MS, LPCC - Director
EDUCATION
Northeastern University, Boston, MA Master of Science, May 2004 Counseling Psychology
Northeastern University, Boston, MA Master of Science, September 1998 Criminal Justice
University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA Bachelor of Arts, May 1997 Summa Cum Laude
Licensure and Certifications
State of NM - LPCC
Certified QPR Trainer
Charlene Montoya, PsyD, LMHC
Education
New Mexico Tech – Bachelor 2001
Western New Mexico University – Master 2015
University of Texas – Post Grad Certificate 2017
Breyer State University – Doctorate 2021
Licensure and Certifications
New Mexico State – Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
New Mexico PED – Licensed Educational Diagnostician (LED)
New Mexico PED – Licensed Educational Success Counselor (LESC)
