Rio Grande Counseling & Guidance Services — Counselor in Albuquerque, NM

I find it very concerning based on a recent counseling session. During this session, I shared sensitive and deeply personal experiences, including past habits and abuse, with the expectation of receiving understanding and support. However, I was given a diagnosis within one hour, without a thorough discussion or any effort to verify my history. Furthermore, I was labeled as “delusional,” which I found highly inappropriate and dismissive. This characterization felt like being called “crazy” and minimized the seriousness of the issues I was facing. This experience has left me feeling regretful for opening up and has significantly impacted my trust in counseling. In my opinion, this approach was unprofessional and contrary to the principles of ethical and trauma-informed care. These matters need to be reviewed and addressed to ensure that clients receive compassionate, evidence-based support in the future—without feeling labeled or diagnosed prematurely. I do not recommend Rio Grande Counseling for anyone seeking professional, respectful, and trauma-informed care. Do NOT come here if you value respect, professionalism, and proper mental health care. Seek help elsewhere.

I found my session with Magan very helpful and insightful. Although I didn't have months of therapy, I would still recommend Magan to anyone that is considering counseling.

This review is for a specific counselor, Sofia. I saw her for a long time. She is extremely knowledgeable and experienced. She covers a broad range of topics and issues, making her a valuable asset in your healing tool box.

My experience with Rio Grande Counseling is one of uplifting support and real understanding of my issues and past experiences because my Counselor had lived and survived it himself. It is really easy to attend groups over Zoom and they will work with you instead of making it harder when it comes to your work schedule and whatever else life might throw at you. The overall experience was enjoyable and quite positive and educational. George C. McAnelly

I go there for anger management. It's a good place, they helped me a lot. I like my counselor, she is a very nice lady and helpful to me in helping me keep my anger issues down. I do the sessions once per each week with her. I recommend this place.

Sarah Hatcher is an incredibly talented therapist who brings both depth of knowledge and warmth to every session. She creates a space where I feel both understood and challenged in the best possible way.

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.

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.

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.

As these kinds of places go I went there because one of my clients recommended me to try it. In needed a new doctor because my last one moved out of New Mexico. When I first got there it was very crowded in the lobby and I didn't know what to expect but when I met with my therapist she turned out to be pretty amazing. What was more amazing is that I was able to see my new doctor there in like a week! I tried to find a new doctor in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and all of them had a waiting time of about 2 months, so I scheduled an appointment with some other doctor because when they told me I could see their doctor in less than two weeks I didn't know what to think. I didn't believe them or I thought they might not have such a good doctor, but I saw the doctor there right away and he is excellent! He is definitely a keeper. So I canceled with the other doctor I was going to see in 2 months. I thought the staff there were all very nice and it is not so crowded when I go during my appointment time in the morning (I hate crowds). I won't say who my counselor is because I want her all to myself, but she is really amazing and I recommend this place because you can tell they have their s*** together! Beats my old place by a long shot. <3