Welcome to Tessa's Therapies, Inc.
Tessa's Therapies, Inc. provides therapy to individuals of all ages, and family therapy. We can provide Circle of Security for parenting support. We provide Play Therapy, EMDR, Child Parent Psychotherapy, Infant Mental Health support.
Mental Support Services We Offer
Child Parent
Psychotherapy
Play
Therapy
EMDR
Individual &
Family Therapy
Child Parent Psychotherapy is a social, emotional and cognitive well being of children ages 0 to 5, developed by secure and stable relationships with nurturing caregivers.
Play Therapy is a form of therapy especially for children that allows for non verbal self expression and processing of the life experiences.
Children do not yet have the vocabulary or abstract thinking abilities to express themselves as an adult would through talk therapy. So, instead, children use play as a means of self expression.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is a psychotherapy that changes how your brain stores traumatic memories and other distressing life experiences. The therapy will help move the distressing memory and re-organize how it will be filed in the brain.
Through outpatient counseling, Tessa's Therapies helps families, and individuals of all ages.
Tessa Ontiveros, LCSW, RPT-S
Tessa is the Clinical Director at Tessa's Therapies, Inc. She received her Bachelor degree in Social Work(2001) and a Master of Social work(2005) from New Mexico State University. Tessa has her Play Therapy Supervisor credentials, is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Circle of Security Parenting, and Child Parent Psychotherapy. She is also trained in Infant Mental Health and is a Mental Health Consultant for Headstart. Tessa has worked in the mental health field for 31 years with children and families. With benevolence and understanding, Tessa offers a highly personalized therapeutic approach using complementary evidence-based methodologies and techniques with each individual or family.
Rita M Pacheco-Gonzales, MD
Dr. Rita Pacheco-Gonzales is a native of New Mexico, born in Raton and raised on a small
farm outside the community of Maxwell, NM. She is the daughter of migrant farmworkers
who revolved around Colorado and New Mexico, and number 11 of 12 siblings who all
earned advanced degrees of higher education. Dr. Pacheco attended undergraduate and
medical school at University of New Mexico, graduating from medical school in 1990. She
completed residency and fellowship training for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in San
Antonio, Texas. Dr. Pacheco returned to New Mexico immediately after training and has
lived in Las Cruces since 1995. She has provided psychiatric care in all regions of New
Mexico since then.
Dr. Pacheco has remained committed to providing for the mental health needs of New
Mexico’s most vulnerable populations through the 2013 mental health crisis in New
Mexico and witnessed the demise of several community mental health agencies; some
survived but greatly impacted by the trauma. She communicates with New Mexicans in
their native languages of Spanish and English, which is critical to provision of effective
mental health care. Her family of origin has remained in northern New Mexico for over 600
years, even prior to the establishment of New Mexico as a member of the United States.
Her culturally sensitive approach is not learned; it is lived.
Dr. Pacheco is married to a native New Mexican from Ranchos de Taos. She has three
children who follow their parents’ aspirations to preserve the opportunity to thrive,
preserve, and protect the culture of their native land. Dr. Pacheco includes spiritual health
in one’s opportunity to thrive and heal from adverse circumstances. While medication
management is a component of her treatment approach, she remains steadfast in her
conviction that children and adolescents heal concurrently with their families. Thus,
involvement in individual and family therapy is essential. Dr. Pacheco insists on
collaboration with primary care providers, therapists, parents, schools, and others who are
involved in the patients' lives. A guiding philosophy of Dr. Pacheco’s is, “Taking care of our
children and their families is a community effort and obligation.” She believes it is a
privilege to earn the trust of those she works with, and she treasures her experiences of her
service over the past 31 years in Las Cruces.
Carla Calderon, BSW,
Office Manager | Community Support Worker
Carla is the Office Manager and a Community Support Worker at Tessa's Therapies, Inc. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from New Mexico State University and is dedicated to supporting individuals and families throughout their mental health journey.
Carla combines her passion for helping others with her strong leadership and organizational skills to ensure clients receive compassionate, high-quality support from their first interaction with the practice. She enjoys connecting clients with resources, building community partnerships, and creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
When she's not at work, Carla enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, staying active, and making meaningful connections within her community.
Jordan Weatherly, B.S., LMHC | Mental Health Conselor
Jordan Weatherly is a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Adams State University. Jordan currently holds her LMHC and is passionate about doing play therapy to get her endorsement as a Play Therapist. Jordan is driven to help children and their families navigate life’s challenges, build emotional resilience, and grow in confidence.
With a warm and compassionate approach, Jordan creates a safe, supportive space where children can express themselves freely and learn healthy ways to manage their emotions. She is committed to fostering strong, trusting relationships and empowering young clients to thrive at home, in school, and in their communities.
Maryah Solis, LCSW Licensed Master Social Worker | Trauma-Informed Kids Yoga provider
Maryah Solis is a dedicated Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) committed to supporting children and families across New Mexico through compassionate, culturally attuned care. She holds both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from New Mexico State University and brings a trauma-informed lens to all areas of her practice.
With specialized training in trauma-informed children’s yoga (200-hour YYT certification), Maryah integrates mindfulness, movement, and emotional regulation into her therapeutic approach. She utilizes a solution-focused, strength-based framework to empower clients, build resilience, and support personal growth.
Maryah offers both telehealth and in-person services, working to increase access to care and improve the quality of life for the New Mexico community. She is passionate about creating a safe, healing space for children and families navigating emotional, behavioral, or relational challenges.
Margaret Ersinghaus, LMSW
Margot is a compassionate, client-centered mental health provider committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where healing and growth can flourish. With a strong foundation in evidence-based therapeutic practices and a trauma-informed lens, Margot specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults facing anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, trauma, and life transitions. She is also trained in EMDR therapy, allowing her to support clients in processingtraumatic experiences and building healthier pathways toward healing. Dedicated to helping children with ADHD through play therapy, Margot uses a blend of creativity, empathy, and structured strategies to meet each client’s unique needs. She also integrates a solution-focused approach, helping clients identify strengths and achievable goals to create meaningful, lasting change. Whether building emotional tools through play, helping teens discover their voice, or supporting adults through difficult dynamics, Margot’s goal is to foster resilience and self-understanding at every stage. Every client is met with warmth and respect, with the belief that lasting change begins in a space where one feels truly heard.
Ashley Sifuentes, Social Work Intern
Ashley is a dedicated Social Work Intern committed to serving children, adolescents, and families with a trauma-informed, strengths- based approach. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justices
and a minor in Sociology from New Mexico State University and is currently completing her Master of Social Work at the University of Montana, graduating in 2026. Ashley has experience supporting children through emotional regulation challenges, family transitions, behavioral concerns, and trauma exposure. Rooted in empathy and collaboration, her work integrates play-based interventions, rapport building, and client-
centered care to meet each child’s developmental and emotional needs. Her goal is to provide a safe, supportive therapeutic space where children and adults feel empowered, valued, and capable of healing. Ashley is passionate about increasing access to mental health support and partnering with families to promote long-term resilience and well- being.
Abegail Salugsugan
Having graduated with her Bachelor’s in Psychology at NMSU in 2021, Abegail continues her education at Western New Mexico University to obtain her Master’s in Counseling. Abegail has worked with and supported children and young adolescents in various settings, including in-home, school, and community settings. Abegail also utilizes her time at a farm, where she hopes to integrate her knowledge and resources that promotes self sustainment and independence in her professional work. After finishing her Master's, Abegail hopes to continue working with children and young adolescents, while also expanding her practice with late adolescent population utilizing other holistic therapy, such as art and music therapy.
Miriam Zavala, LCSW
Miriam is a bilingual clinical therapist dedicated to providing compassionate, client-centered care to individuals and families across the lifespan. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from New Mexico State University, along with a minor in Child Advocacy, which has deeply informed her commitment to supporting and advocating for those I serve.
With over four years of clinical experience, she has had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, adults, and families from diverse backgrounds. Her work is grounded in a trauma-informed approach, and she is trained in evidence-based modalities including Motivational Interviewing, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Miriam strives to create a warm, safe, and respectful space where clients feel genuinely heard and supported. She believes in meeting each person where they are, honoring their unique experiences, and walking alongside them as they work toward healing, growth, and resilience. As a bilingual therapist, she is honored to offer services in both English and Spanish, helping to foster meaningful connection and accessibility for a broader community
Amanda, DNP
DNP
Brianna Aguirre, BSW Intern
Brianna is passionate about supporting individuals and families through compassionate, client-centered care. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Social Work and brings a strong foundation in trauma-informed practice, empathy, and effective communication into her work.
Brianna is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. She values building genuine connections and meeting clients where they are, while supporting growth, resilience, and overall well-being.
Her approach is rooted in a strengths-based perspective, focusing on each individual’s unique abilities and potential. Brianna is committed to continuous learning and providing culturally responsive care to diverse populations.
Address
Main: 2435 S. Telshor Blvd.
Las Cruces, NM 88011
&
Secondary: 545 S. County Line #B
Chaparral, NM 88081
Phone
575-323-1315
Connect
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