The Counseling Center's mission is to support the emotional, intellectual, and social
development of students at New Mexico Tech. We help students resolve existing problems,
prevent potential problems, and develope new skills to enrich their lives.
“Mental health is part of overall health and helps to sustain our thought processes,
relationships, productivity, and ability to adapt, to preserve, and to overcome adversity."
On Indigenous People’s Day we are reminded of the effects of historical trauma created through settler colonialism which forced people to change their traditional
ways. Altering communities, relationships, family structure, and child rearing practices.
Take the time to understand that the effect of historical trauma is not just about
what happened in the past. It's about what's still happening. Many cultures in our
nation experience the effects of the traumas inflicted on groups of people because
of a race, creed, ethnicity, religion, gender identification, and sexual orientation.
These traumas can linger on in their descendants. The persistent cycle of trauma can
harm people, families, and communities. It threatens the vibrancy of entire cultures.
Those experiencing these effects of historical trauma may be more likely to experience
negative behavioral health outcomes, as well as decreases in daily functioning and
quality of life. As a result, we see some people experiencing poorer physical and
mental health, substance use, higher rates of suicide, and erosion in families and
community structures.
Respond with careto individuals and communities experiencing historical, past, and present traumatic
stress. Assist people and communities in navigating through ongoing grief, support
restoration of self, community, and human-ecological relationships, and work to generate
cultural vibrancy.
The Seven Grandfather teachings are: Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility,
and Truth. Reflect on what you learn day by day, and focus on “Leaving no one behind:
Indigenous peoples day is the call for a new social contract”.
The Counseling Center will still be offering sessions via telehealth. However, in
person visits at the Counseling Center will be open to students who are fully vaccinated,
if requested.
Here is why:
We are all being asked to take steps to keep each other safe and healthy during a
pandemic of a contagious illness. The normative practice of having various students
come to an office to meet with a counselor throughout the course of a day would risk
the spread of the virus between unvaccinated students and anyone the counselor interacts
with outside their roles of providing counseling.
We acknowledge that there are certainly advantages to in-person counseling over on-line
delivery. However, those are significantly reduced with the requirements of wearing
a face covering. While not always the case, it is certainly quite common for emotions
to surface in counseling. So much of the expression of emotion is hidden when most
of the face is covered by a mask, making on-line counseling where the clients and
counselor can see more of each other's facial expressions, a more helpful and informative
experience. For many students, strong emotions in counseling often result in sniffling
or needing to blow their nose, and wipe tears, all of which can't be done while wearing
a mask.
This is why online counseling is the safer and more effective way to reach the goals
of counseling at this time of those who are unvaccinated. While there are some unique
considerations related to on-line counseling that we want you to keep in mind, we
believe this is the most responsible, caring, and helpful approach to maintain our
commitment to your well-being.
If you have any questions, please contact our office at 575-835-6619 Monday - Friday
from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, or email us at counseling@nmt.edu. Students can complete intake paperwork online under "Schedule An Appointment."
For a mental health emergency, please call us at our office number during regular work hours or call campus police after hours at x5555.
Our Top Picks for Morning and Bedtime Yoga:
For more links to yoga videos for students, staff, and faculty, visit our Yoga and
Meditation page here.
Short on Time? Here's a 5-Minute Meditation:
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.
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 by a New Mexico
licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and an independently-licensed clinical mental
health counselor (LPCC).
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
State of NM - LPCC
Laura Barker, MS, LMHC – Mental Health Counselor
EDUCATION
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR Master of Science, May 2017 Clinical Mental Health Counseling
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR Bachelor of Arts, May 2014 Psychology
Richland College, Dallas, TX Associate of Science, May 2012 General Science
LICENSURE
State of NM - LMHC
Eligibility
Currently enrolled NMT graduate or undergraduate students registered for a minimum
of 6 credit hours are eligible for our services. The initial appointment is an opportunity
for your counselor 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.
Confidentiality
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.
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 intake 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-hours emergencies please contact Campus Police at 575-835-5434.
New Clients
The Counseling Intake Form is for students seeking services from the Counseling Center for the first time. 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.
If you have not been seen within the last two (2) academic semesters by the Counseling Center, please
complete the returning clients form below.
If you have been seen within the last two (2) academic semesters, please email the
counseling center at counseling@nmt.edu and be sure to include 3 dates and times that you are available.
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) will have their file closed and could be referred to community
services should they require psychological care.
Services
Individual Counseling
You will meet with a counselor one-on-one to address your concerns in standard up-to-50
minute sessions. During the first meeting, you and your counselor will set goals,
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-50 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
Counselors 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 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 interaction 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.
