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.
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 LCSW, Therapist and Owner
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 vacation.
Leticia Molina-Landeros, Clinical Social Worker
Leticia graduated from New Mexico Highlands University in 2015 with her degree in social work. Leticia initially wanted to go into education but decided that she preferred the diversity offered by social work. She says that she wanted freedom to work with children, youth, adults & families. Leticia also does couples counseling and offers services in Spanish, as well as English.
She shared, “my passion is to assist others with finding hope. To reach their goals and find fulfillment in life, even if that’s focusing on the small moments of joy that life brings. To gain self-confidence and give back to the community by doing the things they love.”
Eventually she would love to open her own private practice in order to serve the community by providing mental health services to people who are ready to commit to positive change. She says, “if you are in therapy and don’t want to be, I am not the right person for you. I am typically open with anyone who is ready to do the work.”
When asked what she wants her clients to know she stated, “that I am learning along with them, to know that I will meet them where they are at and together [I’ll help you] gain skills for health and wellbeing.”
When Leticia is not at work you’ll likely find her hanging out with her two children, being outside or spending time with friends and family.