Interns

Andrea Gonzales, LADAC (she/her)
Practice Manager
Substance Use Counselor, Intern Mental Health Counselor

 

Andrea Gonzales (she/her) is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with five and a half years of experience working with clients both individually and in groups. Born and raised in Albuquerque, Andrea sought a new adventure by completing her Bachelor’s degree at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. Being 2,000 miles away from home helped her appreciate her Chicana roots and recognize the importance of cultural competency in therapy and its impact on client outcomes. During this transformative period, she also developed a profound respect for the LGBTQIA+ community.

As a counselor, Andrea is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive space where BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ clients can find the help they need to recover. She utilizes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and person-centered approaches in her practice. Andrea’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and understanding environment is at the core of her therapeutic approach.

Beginning in August 2024, Andrea will be taking on new clients as an interning Mental Health Counselor through the University of the Cumberlands, where she will graduate in 2025. With many years of experience as a substance use counselor, she is well-prepared to work with a broader population, helping individuals on their journey to becoming their fully-realized selves.

Since June 2023, Andrea has also served as the Practice Manager for Whole Self Counseling!

Sara Magaletta (she/her)
Intern Mental Health Counselor

Sara Magaletta (she/her) is a counseling intern, pursuing her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at New Mexico Highlands University. Sara provides individual therapy using a client-centered approach, believing that each person is the expert on their own story and possesses inherent strengths that can aid them in overcoming obstacles.

She strives to practice through a multicultural feminist lens from a place of collaboration and shared humanity, using humor, mindfulness, and acceptance as tools of healing and transformation. She is deeply committed to each individual’s well-being and personal growth and strives to build a therapeutic alliance built on trust, empathy, and respect. As an early-onset cancer survivor, she is passionate about supporting individuals going through life’s unexpected challenges, including chronic illness.

Sara is originally from NJ and has a BA in art history from Boston University. She followed her family west and has lived in New Mexico for 15 years.

Sara loves to travel, write, dance, watch Bravo, and eat candy.

Simone Durbin (she/her)
Social Work Intern

Simone Durbin (she/her) is a Social Work Intern currently pursuing her Master’s degree at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. She specializes in providing therapy through strengths-based and solution-focused methodologies, fostering the belief that individuals possess the ability to define and achieve their own success.

Outside of her professional commitments, Simone enjoys spending time with her large, blended family of 11 and engaging in outdoor activities such as gardening and camping.