Licensed Clinical Staff
Tod DiCecco, MA, LPCC
Executive Director
Tod received his Master’s degree from Southwestern College and takes a holistic approach to the transformational and healing process. Tod believes in offering an opportunity to explore personal growth through the mind, body, and spirit. He uses mindfulness practices to guide individuals and families through relationship challenges, grief & loss, issues related to substance abuse, trauma, and other life stressors. He believes when people connect with their purpose and what brings meaning into their life, they experience greater connection with themselves, their family, and community. He also believes that using creativity supports the heart’s true authentic expression, which brings about joy and inspiration. A deep connection to the heart can develop feelings of safety and expand compassion towards others and ourselves.
Niccole Toral, MA, LPCC, CDWF, TEP
Clinical Supervisor
Niccole holds a master’s degree in Counseling, is a Certified Daring Way Facilitator (CDWF) and holds a Certificate in Transformational Eco-Psychology (TEP) from Southwestern College, a Consciousness Centered Program. She has been shaped by integrative wellness both personally and professionally is passionate about combining therapies and modalities that inspire others. Niccole loves that Mesa Vista Wellness integrates many different forms of wellness within their services.
Over the course of her professional career, Niccole has spent several years in the implementation and integration of behavioral health care in rural primary care clinics.
Shaia D’Ourso, LCSW
Clinical Leader and Clinical Supervisor
Shaia D’Ourso is a lifelong resident of New Mexico. Shaia works with all age groups, with focus on adolescents and senior populations. She is certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Restoration) and MST (Multi-Systemic Therapy). Shaia believes strongly in the results of using EMDR for trauma recovery. She has an additional focus on working with addiction recovery and oversees the Drug and Treatment Court Programs. Shaia has a deep passion for serving her community and demonstrates through her outreach efforts to other community organizations in hopes of connecting individuals with needed services.
Molly Leach, LCSW, Med
Clinical Supervisor
Molly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated from Widener University with a Master of Social Work and a Master of Education in Human Sexuality. Her professional interests have mainly focused in the areas of women’s health, gender, and sexuality, but she enjoys clinical work with a variety of different populations. Molly is trained in EMDR and is well versed in working with diverse family systems, survivors of trauma, and folks of diverse cultural backgrounds.
Molly’s approach in her therapeutic work is systemic; she likes to step back and gain perspective of the variety of different factors that could be impacting a person’s mental health. This includes paying detailed attention to cultural factors, family background, and social influences, while tailoring her services to meet the broad needs of her clients. Humor and positivity are important tools that Molly incorporates as she supports her clients in their journeys of self-exploration and personal fulfillment.
Scott Temple, LCSW
Hello! My name is Scott Temple. I was born in Las Cruces, and have lived in NM my whole life. I have been a practicing therapist for almost twenty years in a variety of capacities. Being a native New Mexican, I am also deeply aware of the significant struggles and strengths people in my community and State are living and working with every day, and I practice based on a firm belief in the importance of a positive therapeutic relationship in helping to heal and recover from traumatic and difficult life experiences. I truly enjoy helping others on their journey towards self-empowerment and discovery and working with people to develop and nurture the sacredness and worthiness inherent within everyone of us is a great privilege for me!
As a Veteran of the US Navy, I was fortunate to travel a good part of the world and to be exposed to the beauties and difficulties experienced by a variety of cultures. I also learned to be attentive to detail, developed a strong work ethic, and after being honorably discharged, I learned a little bit about the struggles Veterans often have reintegrating into society.
I love traveling, (especially to Italy!) reading, hiking and spending time with my crazy, hilarious dog, Witko.
Julia Lucero, MSW, LCSW
With 35 years of experience as a social worker, supervisor, program director, adjunct professor, program administrator and clinical therapist, Julia has worked with diverse populations and relies on the strength, resiliency and unique qualities of the individuals she works with to guide her practice.
As a 9th generation Chicana from northern New Mexico, she embraces the values, culture, language, traditions, and healing practices handed down to her from the women in her family. Through a holistic approach, she honors the inner strength clients bring to the therapeutic relationship and works to help them realize their full potential.
Carlos Gonzales, LADAC
Carlos F. Gonzales is a native New Mexican, born and raised. His career is in state government as a Financial Manager and Chief Procurement Officer, as well as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor, and property manager. He has been working for First Judicial Drug Court Program in Santa Fe since 2001. Carlos is in recovery from alcohol/addiction and has proudly worked for 19 years of sobriety.
Carlos through his recovery work and counseling is hoping to help others find peace, a solution to their addiction, and a future of happiness. He strongly believes in what he does. “I am truly blessed to have the opportunities that have been given me, and I do not take life lightly. I work hard, play hard, and do my best to keep healthy and strong. I believe life should be shared, not just lived, and we all should be proud of who and what we are no matter how that may look.”
Andrea Serna, MA, LPCC
Andrea is a native of northern New Mexico who has over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. She believes in a holistic approach to healing involving psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual work. Andrea believes that people have their insight into their experiences and utilizes empowerment within the person. Developing self-awareness, skills and strategies that work in their world is what she strives for.
Andrea uses play therapy, art therapy, genograms, lifelines, ecomaps, CBT and more in helping clients to develop strategies to cope with life’s challenges. Andrea is a client-centered therapist and knows that no matter what, there is always hope.
Christine Miller, MA, LPCC, CYT-200
Christine primarily serves children and adolescents. She utilizes art and play therapy, mindfulness practices, yoga and sensory self-soothing techniques to aid her clients in building motivation and achieve stronger self-expression and communication skills. Christine works with her clients to build self-esteem and identify healthy coping skills to navigate lifes challenges. Christine is also a certified Yoga Instructor and incorporates this into her practice.
Heather Hines, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW
Heather has an affinity for working with children, teens and adults coping with grief and loss, as well as people struggling with nightmares, anxiety, mood swings and trauma. She was trained in family therapy at the Sky Center in Santa Fe and in infant mental health at Las Cumbres in Espanola, and is currently working on a PhD in Integrated Therapy and Healing Practices at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Heather’s approach is that of a heartfelt partnership with individuals and families to inspire the positive transformation they desire. This approach, which has out of her studies of psychoanalytic theory and depth psychology, allows her to serve as a guide and witness to healing through dreams and engagement with the personal and collective unconscious. Heather meets each client exactly where they are on their journey, and helps them walk the path toward healing. Underscoring the work is her deep respect for the human condition and genuine enjoyment of the therapeutic relationship.
Alisa Montano, LCSW
Alisa is an independently Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, with a primary theoretical orientation in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Alisa has been intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through the Linehan Institute. Alisa has several years’ experience working with adults who suffer from severe mood dysregulation and trauma. Alisa utilizes a number of strategies for promoting change in the direction of one’s long-term goals.
Kat Rademaekers, LMSW
Kat Rademaekers is a Licensed Masters Social Worker who graduated from New Mexico Highlands University. Kat has experience counseling individuals suffering from addiction, and co-occurring illnesses. Kat interned at the Santa Fe Recovery Center, where she facilitated group and individual therapy sessions for people with addiction issues. Her internship at Casa Milagro allowed her to work with clients in a group home setting. Upon graduating, Kat went on to work at Life Healing Center, an inpatient rehabilitation facility where she continued to work with individuals who presented with a wide range of complex and co-occurring mental health and addiction issues. Kat’s volunteer work with National Alliance on Mental Illness support groups shows her deep commitment and advocacy for creating awareness for mental health issues and reducing the stigma of mental health.
Kimberly P. Archie, LPCC
Kim graduated from Southwestern College in 2010 with a master’s in art therapy and counseling. Through her love of people and passion for art and creative expression, she found her path for serving others as an art therapist. Nine plus years of experience includes working with people of all ages. Kim’s expertise is working with alcohol and drug addictions, trauma recovery and PTSD, depression, bipolar, ADHD, and anxiety issues.
Kathleen Knox, LMHC
Kathleen joins MVW from Austin, TX where she received her Master’s of Arts in Counseling. She spent 20 years in Austin, TX where she worked as an educator (elementary and middle school), a fund- raiser and in the music industry. Kathleen is a transpersonal therapist who believes that we are functioning at our highest and best when we are fully aligned with our soul’s intentions. Using various modalities including talk therapy, expressive arts activities and Sandtray therapy, Kathleen helps her clients identify old thinking patterns and beliefs which no longer serve them and assists in helping them find their way to their own Truth. Kathleen has extensive training as a Sandtray therapist. Sandtray fosters an integration of the whole brain for a sense of wholeness and aids in the calming of the nervous system. Kathleen offers clients seeking relief from the symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, ad- dictions, behavioral issues through her different therapeutic approaches an opportunity for clients have a more joyful life. In addition, Kathleen leads the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), a 12- week group designed to support people who are attempt- ing to maintain sobriety from various addictive behaviors. Kathleen sees clients aged 11 and older.
Tiannon Schmitt, LPCC
Tiannon is a licensed mental health counselor. She graduated from Southwestern College in 2006 with a Master’s in Art Therapy and Counseling and has worked with diverse populations through Creativity for Peace, Santa Fe Mountain Center, home visiting programs for families and private practice. Tiannon’s specialty areas include infant and maternal mental health and emotions and eating wellness. As an art therapist, Tiannon values the creative process as inherently therapeutic for resolving traumas, supporting whole-brain integration and emotional regulation. Tiannon is also a certified Circle of Security parent educator and Positive Parenting Facilitator.
Emily Rothschild, LPCC
Emily finds purpose in working with people of all ages, from diverse backgrounds. She is committed to serving the Mesa Vista Wellness community using an eclectic, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach. Emily welcomes clients with a spirit of curiosity and open-mindedness. She believes that seeking therapy is a sign of self-awareness, personal growth, and courage. Emily strives to support clients’ acquisition of emotional regulation skills, practice of accountability, and the development of healthy boundaries. She utilizes integrative methods for problem solving, cultivating compassion, meaning making and navigating life transitions. Sessions with Emily include an array of resilience-building techniques: therapeutic dialogue, psychoeducation, values clarification, mindfulness exercises, and experiential therapies. Emily holds a master’s degree in Expressive Arts Therapies from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She completed a post-graduate training in Family Therapy at the Sky Center in Santa Fe, NM. Emily nourishes her love for counseling with a dedication to family, dance, yoga, and a passion for lifelong learning.
Sally Sullivan, LMHC
Sally holds an MA in Guidance and Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a minor in Rehabilitation Counseling from New Mexico Highlands University. Sally has experience working with adolescents both in the office and in the school setting, adults of most ages, persons with substance use issues and is expanding into work with couples and families.
Diana Blade, LMSW
Diana has a person-centered approach to counseling. As a licensed social worker and a single mother, she views the struggles one faces as the essential need to connect and thrive. Diana’s collaborative approach encourages and empowers her clients to take ownership of their hard work and discoveries. She provides perspective, challenge and structure where needed. Diana utilizes elements of psychotherapy, sand play, art therapy, narrative work, and cognitive behavioral work. She combines these tools with genuine compassion and belief in the fundamental strength, dignity, and worthiness of all. She is honored to walk alongside individuals and families as they seek to learn, grow, and create their best life.
J. Bob Kitts, LPCC
Over the past 37 years, I’ve learned to practice the art of listening. My experience has shown me we all need to be heard and understood. It helps us see how to make improvements in our lives. I have a Master of Science, Marriage and Family Therapy. Bachelor of Arts and Psychology. I have worked with individuals, families, and couples treating a variety of presenting problems including depression, anxiety, marriage and family issues, grief and loss, transition, and recovery issues.
Wellness Team
Administrative Support Team
Susan C. McGonnell
Program Manager
Susan attended Humanities School of Allied Health and Massage Therapy and has an extensive background in massage therapy. She currently resides with her husband and enjoys spending time in the garden. She is our Billing and Credentialing Specialist and works to ensure that service claims are processed correctly and timely. She assists front desk and administration team as well as works closely with our therapists, ensuring everyone is credentialed with the insurance companies we file claims with.