Ghirmay Haile, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Ghirmay Haile, DNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with training and experience treating patients with psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. He received his Bachelor Degree in Sociology and Social Works from the University of Asmara, Eritrea, a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the New Mexico State University and a Doctorate Degree in Nursing Practice with a specialization in Mental Health from New Mexico State University.

Prior to joining La Clinica de Familia, Dr. Ghebreslasse worked in psychiatric inpatient, (Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric) units at Mesilla Valley Psychiatric Hospital for 7 years as a Psychiatric Mental Health Technician and Psychiatric Nurse. He has also 5 years work experience as Adjust Professor at Donna Anna Community College, teaching Sociology classes to freshmen students.

Currently, Dr. Ghirmay Ghebreslasse is providing service for Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric clients both at Children Behavioral Health (Central) and Adult Behavioral Health (Griggs). He brings to clinic a humanistic philosophy of holistic care for both mind and body, and an abiding commitment to individualized, personalized, comprehensive care for patients.

Rita Pacheco-Gonzales, MD
Rita Pacheco-Gonzales MD was born and raised on a farm in a small village in northern New Mexico named Maxwell. After graduating with the same 12 classmates with whom she first started head-start, Dr. Pacheco-Gonzales attended University of New Mexico and earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology. Dr. Pacheco-Gonzales studied at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque, which also included guidance and mentorship by Dr. Frank Crespin at La Clinica de Familia in San Miguel, New Mexico. Upon earning her Doctor of Medicine degree, Dr. Pacheco-Gonzales relocated with her husband and son to San Antonio, Texas to complete her internship, residency in adult psychiatry, as well as a two- year fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Sciences in San Antonio. After completing her training and certifications, Dr. Pacheco-Gonzales returned to Las Cruces and has practiced in the Mesilla Valley since 1995. She currently serves as Medical Director for Behavioral Health Services at La Clinica de Familia and provides psychiatric care to children, adolescents and their families. Dr. Pacheco-Gonzales also oversees residents from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center.

When asked about the passion she holds for her work, Dr. Pacheco-Gonzales said, “No matter what, I always planned to return home to serve New Mexico. My extended family has lived in New Mexico for over 600 years, in communities all across the state. I truly feel it is my duty to help care for the same communities that inspired those ancestors who came before me, and continue to inspire the next generation of New Mexicans.”

Obi Chinyelu, LMSW
Chinyelu “Devine” Obi, LMSW, attended University of Nigeria where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work/Community Development. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work at New Mexico State University. She currently provides Clinical and Behavioral Health services to Adult Outpatients at Las Cruces LCDF Behavioral Health Specialties. Her passion and goal is to continue her education in mental health with opportunities to work and impact lives domestically and globally. She would also love to establish a Non-profit that will cater to the overall mental health and basic needs of the under-served population.

Anthony Esquibel, TFC Clinical Supervisor
Anthony Esquibel, LPCC, attended New Mexico State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and his Master’s Degree in Counseling & Guidance. He currently is the clinical supervisor for the Shelter and Treatment Foster Care program at La Clinica De Familia. Anthony hopes to continue his work in community mental health and build upon his experience of helping children and adolescents.

Kelli Giron, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC
Kelli Giron, DNP, PMHNP-BC currently cares for clients in the ACT Program at Motel Blvd. She is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Giron graduated with honors from New Mexico State University with her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in 2019.

Jade Jenkins, LMSW
Attended University of Texas at El Paso and earned a BA in Psychology. Went on to attend New Mexico State University and earned a Masters of Social Work. Currently providing outpatient therapy for adults with La Clinica Behavioral Health. I am pursuing a clinical license in social work and hope to continue a career in mental health as an independent clinician.

Erika Milo, LCSW

Joann Cooke, LCSW
JoAnn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She attended the University of Texas at Austin where she received both her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in social work. The first 5 years of her career were spent working with teenage boys dealing with substance use , anger, depression, and legal issues within a residential treatment center. She came to LCDF in July of 2018 as a clinical supervisor with adult outpatient where she maintained a caseload of adult clients and provided clinical supervision to other therapists. She transitioned to director role in August of 2022 where she has strived to create policy and procedure changes to best serve the staff, patients, and community. JoAnn still maintains a small caseload and specializes in working with clients with trauma, substance use, depression, and anxiety. She is trained in a variety of approaches including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), collaborative management of suicidality (CAMS) , CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). She is passionate about making LCDF an agency in which all patients feel safe and welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical ability.

Elizabeth Fernandez, LCSW
Elizabeth attended New Mexico State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Bachelors of Arts in Foreign Languages and her Master’s Degree in Social Work. She provided intensive in home services to Dona Ana County as a Multi Systemic Therapist for Problem Sexual Behaviors (MST-PSB) both as a therapist and supervisor, for about nine years, collectively. Elizabeth is currently the Children’s Clinical Director. Elizabeth hopes to continue to grow access to behavioral health services across the county to ensure all children, youth and families can receive quality mental health services.   

Maria I. Gonzales, LCSW
Maria received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from New Mexico State University in 2011. Her training includes counseling services to individuals and families in a variety of settings. In June of 2014, she joined La Clinica de Familia’s team and embarked on the journey of integrating behavioral health services into primary care with the goal to make behavioral health services accessible to the community. She is currently the Integrated Behavioral Health clinical supervisor and provides direct patient care at the OB/GYN clinic. Maria’s goal is to continue to provide safe and compassionate care to patients as well as reducing mental health stigma and increasing patients’ access to behavioral health services.

Rosanna R. Camarena, LMSW
Rosanna is a Licensed Master of Social Work, LMSW. Rosanna attended the University of Texas at El Paso where she received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and master’s degree in Social Work. Rosanna currently provides integrated behavioral health services to adults at the Miranda adult outpatient clinic in Las Cruces, NM. Rosanna has experience with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, veterans, adolescents and migrants. Rosanna has a background in research of homeless and immigrant populations. Rosanna hopes to provide healing, advocacy, empathy and strength to those who struggle with mental health concerns.

DeAnna Jaramillo, LCSW
I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners. I hold a Master of Social Work Degree in Social Work Clinical Practice. I received both my Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from New Mexico State University. I am currently located at the La Clinica de Familia, behavioral health center at 535 S Miranda Las Cruces, NM.

I have experience working with clients with a variety of mental health differences, concerns, and diagnoses which have included substance use, trauma, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, various mood disorders, communication issues, relationship issues, anger management, life transitions, self-esteem and acceptance issues, and more. I work with adults and couples. I have facilitated an evidence-based parenting group for over three years at La Clinica de Familia.  I strive to create a comfortable, transparent, non-judgmental, genuine environment for my clients by sharing unconditional positive regard, compassion, empathy, acceptance, and a bit of humor. My goal is to provide a space where you can openly share your story, identify and explore unhealthy behavioral and cognitive patterns, as well as support and help facilitate change where desired and needed.

I utilize a client-centered approach incorporating a variety of therapeutic modalities based on client need including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), DBT/Mindfulness, psychoeducation, and EMDR.

​It is my experience that my clients know themselves better than anyone, they are their own (and my) best resources when it comes to treatment. I view the trust that clients offer to me as a privilege and respect the opportunity to witness each person’s healing as a gift. I believe that therapy should be an enjoyable process, it is my intention to be a practitioner who is welcoming of the full range of human experiences, supporting others in remembering they are already whole and complete, simply helping them embrace this truth in a powerful, lasting way.

I welcome those willing to actively engage in the process of becoming their best selves and very much remain committed to ongoing personal and professional growth myself. As a native to Las Cruces, I value helping those in my community.

Jacqueline Arroyo, LCSW
My name is Jacqueline Arroyo, I attended New Mexico State University where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. I have also attended Western New Mexico University where I received my Master’s degree in social work and received a graduate certificate for Rural Community Social Work Services. I began my career by working with children ages 0-3 in Early intervention as a Family Service Coordinator (FSC) for 2.5 years. I continued my career path as a Treatment Coordinator for Treatment Foster Care (TFC) for children and youth for 2.5 years as well. I have provided Comprehensive Community Support Services (CCSS) for children in youth in the community to promote recovery and resiliency in their treatment goals. As well as providing guidance to develop skills for daily life experiences. My hope is to continue to work with children and youth to provide behavioral health services. My goal is to provide guidance and support to children and youth with their mental health to help them become strong independent individuals in the future.

Susan Brown, DNP PMHNP-BC
Dr. Brown comes to La Clinica de Familia with over 30 years’ experience as a nurse and over 9 years as a PMHNP. She has worked extensively in acute care with all age groups. She has many years of experience in treating the severely mentally ill adult populations. She has specialized training and original research in the treatment of eating disorders.

Dora Caro, IBH
Dora is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in NM. Dora attended New Mexico State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a minor in Spanish Counseling. Dora currently provides Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) services at the San Miguel Medical Clinic. As the IBH Provider, Dora provides walk-in crisis services, outreach and psychoeducation, individual, family, and group therapy, to the surrounding communities of San Miguel and Anthony.

Fonseca Marva, Therapist
Marva Fonseca, LMHC, attended Park University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Psychology: Clinical & Abnormal and her Master’s Depress in Mental Health Counseling. She currently provides integrated Behavioral Health services to adults in Anthony, New Mexico LCDF. Marva hopes to advocate for better quality of life while providing strength, hope and rehabilitation for people struggling with mental illness and substance abuse.

Angel Hernandez, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC
Angel Hernandez, MSN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified nurse practitioner in psychiatry. Angel received his Master of Science in Nursing from MidWestern State University with Honors and has been working in the mental health field since 2000. Angel currently assesses and treats children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics with depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and personality disorders. He has experience in both inpatient and outpatient care.

Courtney Gilkison, LMHC
Courtney is an LMHC recent graduate from Southern New Hampshire University. She is trained in EMDR and has experience working with sexual trauma, severe depression, and the LGBTQ+ population. Courtney has three children who she loves spending time with, along with three cats who are spoiled beyond belief. She and her husband have been married since 2010 and they love going hiking together. Courtney has a passion for mental health and her main goal is to help others grow. No matter what is going on, she believes you can get through the fire and come out better on the other side.

Leasette Hernandez, LCSW
Leasette Hernandez, LCSW attended University of Texas at El Paso where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and University of Texas at Austin where she received her Master of Science in Social Work Degree. She currently provides Integrated Behavioral Health services at LCDF Chaparral Clinic. As an IBH Provider, Leasette provides walk-in crisis services, individual, family, and group counseling service. Leasette’s goal is to provide the community with safe and supportive care, and continue to work towards reducing the stigma against mental health.