DR. SCHAEFER is a licensed Psychologist who has been living and practicing in Las Cruces since 1990. She received her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. She had been the Director of Counseling & Student Development at New Mexico State University from 2009 until May 1, 2017 when she retired. Prior to becoming Director, she was the Training Director at the NMSU Counseling Center for 17 years. She is currently in private practice with her colleague and collaborator, Dr. Corey Vas and provides individual, couples and group therapy services. Her areas of professional interest and research include training and supervision; working with adult survivors of childhood abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect); adult trauma survivors--including combat veterans; working with LGBTQ clients, individuals struggling with depression or grief and loss issues; offenders of abuse toward humans or animals, survivors who witnessed animal abuse, the healing aspects of human-animal interactions and the provision of animal assisted therapy as an adjunct to psychotherapy. She has presented on multiple occasions about the link between animal abuse and human violence as well as the integration of animal assisted interventions in therapy. Dr. Schaefer has been an ally of the LGBTQ community for a number of years and has supported the efforts of PFLAG organization in Las Cruces.

DR. VAS (He/Him) is a licensed Psychologist who has been living and counseling in Las Cruces since 1999. He earned both his Masters and PhD degrees from Iowa State University and completed his predoctoral Internship at the Tucson VA Medical Center. He has spent the last 18 years working as a Staff Psychologist and then Associate Director for Clinical Services at the New Mexico State University Counseling Center, until just this spring when he chose to leave that position in pursuit of forming his own private practice with his colleague and mentor, Dr. Karen Schaefer. Additionally, since 2003, Dr. Vas has been the Clinical Director of Family Therapy for Tresco's Children's Services in Las Cruces, providing counseling and family therapy services as well as reflective supervision for all of the Children's Services disciplines. His clinical interests include working with LGBTQ+ individuals, working with Veterans and their families, treating Anxiety and Depressive Disorders, applying Mindfulness techniques and various other methods for managing stress. Dr. Vas is an active member in the LGBTQIA+ Community including having served on the PFLAG (Parents & Friends of Lesbians And Gays)

Board of Directors in the past, and is kink-aware and kink-friendly.

DR. CERVANTES: My primary goal is to help my clients craft a new narrative, one that is filled with hope and optimism for their future. I believe in creating a supportive environment that fosters growth and confidence, where my clients feel safe, supported, validated, and respected throughout their therapeutic journey. This focus in therapy enables my clients to identify patterns in their thoughts and feelings, building insight into their choices in behaviors and relationships. While we cannot change our past, we can change how we perceive it, gaining valuable insights into ourselves, achieving our goals, and reinforcing our core values. I use the counseling space to help you identify recurring patterns, particularly in relationships such as communication or trust issues, and to uncover the meaning behind your behavioral choices, feelings, or thoughts. I ask questions to help you understand, work through, and develop new perspectives about yourself.

I hope to help you deepen your self-awareness, validate your concerns, and strengthen your ability to navigate conflict, thereby alleviating your problems.

DR. SALKOWITZ (she/they) is a LGBTQIAA+ identified counselor who specializes in working with individuals who identify as LGBTQIAA+, neurodivergent, and those who have a history of trauma. Yelena is a nontraditional psychotherapist who works to create a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients through open and honest communication. Yelena uses an eclectic approach to therapy using mindfulness, nature-based interventions, therapies with art, walk-and-talk interventions, geek therapy, and a multitude of other techniques all through a multicultural lens. Yelena knows that healing and staying grounded can feel difficult and overwhelming given our individual identities, daily stressors, and generational upbringing and strives to create a space where clients can openly process and identify what they need to live a meaningful life. Yelenabelieves in the power of healing through slowing down, seeking gratitude in the minute details of life, and working to find peace in ways that work for us on an individual, cultural and systematic level.

Dr. Yelena Salkowitz (she/they) is a licensed Psychologist who has been living and practicing in Las Cruces since 2018. Yelena moved to New Mexico from Maryland, after receiving her master’s in counseling psychology from Towson University in 2017. Yelena received her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from New Mexico State University in 2024.

DR. FRAGINALS: As a clinical psychologist, my goal is to create a supportive space where clients feel empowered to explore and evolve in positive ways. I enjoy working with adults (18+) across the lifespan. I provide services for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and difficulties related to communication, social skills and relationships. I also have experience supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community, neuro-diverse individuals (Autism spectrum; ADHD), first-generation Americans and college students. I provide evidence-based and trauma-informed psychotherapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Humanistic Therapy. If you feel I may be a good therapeutic fit for you, please feel free to contact me to schedule a consultation call.