Mental Health Counseling Providers

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Emma V. Ortega, MA, LPCC, Executive Director–CEO

National Board Certified Counselor

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

New Mexico State License # CCMH0159661

Emma V. Ortega is the Owner of Journey To Wellness, bringing more than fifteen years of experience as a dedicated clinical counselor serving children, adolescents, adults, and families. A lifelong resident of Valencia County, she carries a deep love for her community and is honored to support the diverse individuals and families who call it home.

Emma’s work is grounded in both extensive training and genuine care. She is certified by Greg Kersten in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, a certified Multi-Systemic Therapist, and is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Her expertise allows her to support clients through a wide range of emotional and relational challenges, much like other licensed professional counselors, with skill, compassion, and cultural sensitivity.

At the heart of Emma’s work is her belief that healing begins in a space where people feel seen, supported, and safe to be themselves. Her warm presence, deep community roots, and commitment to whole-person care make her not only a trusted therapist but also a welcoming guide for those beginning or continuing their healing journey through therapeutic services.

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Legus Losito, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Clinical Director

Legus, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), has been dedicated to the mental health profession for over five years, offering therapeutic services to children, adolescents, families, and adults. His passion centers on supporting individuals facing depression and suicidal ideation. Currently, he is completing his Master’s degree at Colorado Christian University to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Legus is trained in various methodologies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Advanced Behavioral Analysis, Play Therapy, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Suicide Prevention/Intervention.

Adopting a holistic approach rooted in connection, reality and choice theory, and cognitive restructuring, Legus strives to help clients heal and cultivate sustainable tools for long-term well-being. In his role as Clinical Director at Journey to Wellness, he oversees clinical services, supports program development, and ensures the delivery of high-quality, client-centered care. Legus is also deeply committed to the well-being of his staff, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment that enhances professional growth, emotional wellness, and a healthy work–life balance for the entire team of clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors.

Alicia Maturino, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Clinical Supervisor

Alicia Maturino, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Clinical Social Worker (CSW), is an EMDR Certified Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, and CCSS Program Supervisor. She is deeply passionate about providing therapeutic services that empower children, adolescents, adults, and couples to navigate life’s challenges and foster meaningful change.

Her compassionate and collaborative approach is tailored to meet each client’s unique needs. Alicia offers support for issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, emotional regulation, and relationship concerns. By incorporating techniques from CBT, DBT, EMDR, play therapy, sandtray therapy, and couples counseling, she helps clients build on their strengths, develop effective coping skills, and work toward achieving their personal goals.

Leslie Cook, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Leslie Cook is a clinical social worker with 20 years of professional practice experience in a wide variety of settings. Recently, she completed a certification program to become a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapist, expanding her ability to provide therapeutic services. Currently, she is employed in the public school system, where she works with adolescents. Her diverse practice experience includes medical social work, collaborating with disabled and at-risk populations through the Disabled and Elderly program and the Developmentally Delayed program, as well as in home health care, hospice, behavioral health, dialysis, inpatient/discharge planning, long-term care, school social work, and teaching at both the higher education and high school levels. Leslie's passion lies in helping children heal from past traumas so they can grow into healthy, resilient adults while also promoting self-care for professionals, including licensed professional counselors. She is married and has five children and six beautiful grandchildren. In her spare time, Leslie enjoys hiking, outdoor activities, and painting.

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Amanda Ortiz, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Amanda Ortiz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with six years of professional practice experience in various settings, including healthcare and educational environments. Her work as a medical social worker encompasses providing therapeutic services, as well as her roles in hospice and home health care. She has also taught at both community and higher education levels. Amanda earned her MSW from Our Lady of the Lake University, specializing in Hispanic Children and Families. As a dedicated parent of four children, she shares her home with a variety of pets. In her leisure time, Amanda enjoys quilting, solving word and number puzzles, and immersing herself in the world of Harry Potter. This diverse background makes her well-equipped to collaborate with other licensed professional counselors to support her clients effectively.

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Dominick Chavez, LMSW Intern

Dominick Chavez is a Clinical Social Worker (Intern) dedicated to providing therapeutic services that support individuals across the lifespan with compassion, curiosity, and deep respect for their lived experiences. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of New Mexico, where his passion for mental health and human connection first began to flourish.

Currently, Dominick is pursuing his Clinical Master’s degree in Social Work at New Mexico Highlands University, working toward becoming a grounded, effective, and heart-centered clinician. As a counseling intern, he is committed to meeting clients exactly where they are with patience, presence, and the belief that healing begins when a person feels truly heard. He carries with him a guiding reminder that he hopes every client can also embrace: you are more than enough.

Dominick's clinical interests include working with both children and adults as they navigate emotional, behavioral, and life challenges, much like licensed professional counselors do. He strives to build trusting, collaborative therapeutic relationships that honor each person’s story, strengths, and inherent capacity for growth.

Outside of his professional work, he loves to travel, experience new cultures, and draw inspiration from the world around him. A caring, people-centered individual, Dominick values connection deeply. In all he does, he aims to spread compassion, nurture growth, and help others feel supported, understood, and genuinely valued. He hopes to continually remind every person he works with, both in small moments and significant ones, that they are, and always will be, more than enough.

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Erin Schwind, LMSW Intern

Erin is an MSW intern collaborating with children, adolescents, families, and adults as they navigate life’s challenges and embark on their healing journeys. Currently completing her Master of Social Work at Grand Canyon University, she has received two years of specialized training in narrative-focused trauma care at the Allender Center at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. As a certified EMDR practitioner, a Certified Complex Trauma Professional (Level II), and a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, Erin combines her knowledge with skills from her training as a 200-hour registered yoga teacher to provide comprehensive therapeutic services.

Her practice is grounded in a holistic, trauma-informed, and attachment-based approach, deeply rooted in interpersonal neurobiology, which honors the whole person—mind, body, and soul. Erin is particularly passionate about supporting clients as they navigate complex issues like sexual wounding, maladaptive compulsive coping behaviors, and the crucial process of rediscovering and reclaiming fragments of identity that may have been suppressed for survival.

In her role as an intern, Erin utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities, including play therapy, narrative therapy, somatic-based techniques, nature-based therapy, sound therapy, and animal-assisted therapy, to foster healing, integration, and deeper connections with oneself and others. She aims to provide effective support akin to the standards set by experienced clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors, ensuring that every client feels seen and valued in their journey.

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Ericka Barrandey, CCSS Lead Worker

Ericka is a Community Support Worker (CSW) and Lead CSW with over five years of experience in the behavioral health field, collaborating closely with clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors. She is dedicated to walking alongside clients as they work toward success, independence, and personal growth. In her leadership role, she supports both clients and team members while ensuring quality and consistency in therapeutic services.

Ericka provides hands-on support with daily living skills, problem solving, and connecting clients to essential community resources. She believes in meeting people where they are, helping them build confidence through steady encouragement and guidance.

Guided by her values of compassion and respect, Ericka approaches her work with care, always rooted in faith.

Currently, Ericka is continuing her education in psychology, which enhances her knowledge and commitment to serving individuals and families in meaningful ways.

Ashley Uyetake, Billing Specialist, Contracting Credentialing Specialist

Born and raised in Hawaii, Ashley is a dedicated wife and mom of two. With 20 years of experience in the healthcare field as a pharmacy technician, she is continually expanding her expertise; her most recent achievement includes completing her Master’s in Business Administration in Healthcare. Ashley appreciates the importance of therapeutic services, which is why she values the work of clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors in her community. When she’s not busy working, Ashley enjoys taking her kids to their sporting events, relaxing at the beach, cooking, singing karaoke (even though she insists she’s terrible at it), and diving into a good book.

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Aimee Sarinana, Client Services Coordinator (Front Desk, Scheduling, Billing)

Aimee is the welcoming face of Journey to Wellness, greeting every client with warmth and genuine care, whether they walk through the door or call on the phone. She ensures that each individual feels seen, supported, and guided from the moment they arrive, particularly when seeking the expertise of our clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors. With her friendly presence, strong organizational skills, and commitment to excellent service, Aimee helps create a positive and comforting first experience for all clients in search of therapeutic services.