Healing Word started as hope for a better future. While I was in graduate school for Social Work my family was going through a really hard time. My oldest child was struggling and I was at a loss. I looked all around the East Mountains hoping to find someone who could help.
Sadly I was not able to find anyone local and we ended up driving all the way to Albuquerque to get the therapy that was needed. I decided then and there that when I was able to start my own private practice I would make sure that I was located in the East Mountains, so that the next time someone was looking for help they would not experience what I did.
Since starting my practice in 2020 I have been blessed to have a full caseload and a waitlist! Knowing that people were on my waitlist that I was not able to help started to weigh heavy on me. So I made a decision to reach out to some fantastic clinicians and expand my team!
At Healing Word we believe in the power of healing, transformation and the innate goodness of people. We know that given the right support and tools anyone can do better than they are right now. You may be feeling hopeless but we can hold that hope for you until you can hold it for yourself.
We are passionate about wellness, resilience and empowerment and we are excited to share that passion with you! We would be honored to be a part of your healing journey. Come along and take the first step to begin a new chapter.
Melinda Stern, Owner, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor
I have been a therapist since 2015. I earned my Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. I currently hold the highest level of certification for social work offered by the state of New Mexico: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Before becoming a therapist I was a preschool teacher and a stay at home mom.
While still in graduate school I did an internship with an agency focused on domestic violence. I worked with children, teens, and adults. I ran a group for teenagers impacted by domestic violence. The focus was on education and healing.
After I graduated I worked with an outpatient day treatment program with girls ages 11-18. These girls struggled with issues ranging from anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts/attempts, oppositional behaviors, and relationship/attachment concerns.
Most recently I have been working primarily with children with a focus on trauma and intergenerational healing. I work with clients as young as 2 years old through grandparents. Working with this population has taught me the importance of seeing past behaviors to the actual person. I have learned to be a voice for the kids that I work with.
When I’m not at work I’m probably hanging out with friends or my (young adult) children. I love to play with my dog, read or play Dungeons & Dragons. I love a good road trip and a poolside/beachside vacation.
Melinda Stern LCSW is a board certified supervisor able to provide supervision for LMHCs and LMSWs.
Lynn Riley, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor & Clinical Supervisor
Lynn graduated from Colorado Christian University in 2019 with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has since honed her expertise through her work with a diverse adult population in community mental health during the last 5 years.
Lynn has a passion for journeying beside individuals through life’s challenges and experiences and toward healing and self-discovery. She firmly believes everyone can and should be afforded the opportunity to overcome difficulties and establish a profound connection with their core authentic self.
Lynn practices an experiential and relational approach utilizing lifespan integration (LI) therapy and accelerated experiential dynamic psychotherapy (AEDP). She was drawn to these two approaches due to the emphasis on the mind-body connection; and, their remarkable ability to reorganize and reintegrate both implicit and explicit memories. Lynn is a level 4 trained LI therapist working towards her certification and a level 2 trained AEDP therapist.
When not working, Lynn enjoys spending time with her husband and their four dogs, taking walks, reading, and watching movies.
Lynn Riley LPCC is a board-certified supervisor able to provide supervision to LMHCs.
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