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Bart and Ruth Schofield, MFT
Experienced Therapists
With their insight, empathy, and dedication to helping others, our experienced therapists offer a safe and supportive environment for growth and healing.
MICHELLE'S BIO
Michelle Welch is a compassionate mental health professional and clinical supervisor who works from a systemic, relational, and trauma-informed perspective. She is dedicated to supporting individuals, families, and emerging clinicians through collaborative, strengths-based, and culturally responsive care.
In her clinical work, Michelle integrates evidence-based and systemic approaches that consider the impact of relationships, family dynamics, culture, and broader social contexts on mental health and well-being. She supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional regulation difficulties, with an emphasis on fostering safety, insight, and meaningful change.
As an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and New Mexico State-approved Interdisciplinary Supervisor, Michelle provides reflective, trauma-informed, and systems-based clinical supervision to pre-licensed and early-career clinicians. Her supervision emphasizes ethical decision-making, culturally responsive practice, systemic case conceptualization, and professional identity development.
Michelle believes that healing and professional growth occur within safe, supportive relationships and systems, and she is committed to creating spaces where both clients and clinicians can grow with confidence, clarity, and intention.
- Phone:505-818-3074
- Email:michelle@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Michelle Welch
LMFT, COO / Director
ANGELINA'S BIO
Angelina’s counseling approach is grounded in compassion, evidence-based practices, and cultural sensitivity. She is committed to creating a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to work toward their personal goals. Drawing on her experience working with diverse populations, she tailors treatment to each client’s unique needs and lived experiences.
In addition to her clinical work, Angelina serves with the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, supporting individuals and families affected by disasters throughout New Mexico. This role has allowed her to work closely with individuals who have experienced significant loss and trauma, strengthening her advocacy skills and deepening her understanding of resilience, healing, and recovery.
Angelina is passionate about ongoing professional growth and views counseling as a collaborative process. She looks forward to supporting and guiding clients as they navigate challenges, build on their strengths, and move toward meaningful and lasting change.
- Phone:505-737-9697
- Email:angelina@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Angelina Sanchez
LMHC
CHRISTINA'S BIO
- Phone:505-226-3849
- Email:christina@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Christina Klave
LAMFT
ASHLEY'S BIO
Ashley believes therapy should be a supportive partnership rooted in respect, safety, and each client’s values. Her background includes supporting clients through complex family dynamics, emotional regulation, stress, and major life changes. She joined Rio Rancho Family Counseling in 2025 and is honored to be part of a team committed to thoughtful, client-centered care.
Her therapeutic approach is warm, strengths-based, and systemic, focusing on how relationships, environments, and life experiences shape emotional well-being. Ashley works collaboratively with clients to help them better understand their patterns, develop practical coping tools, and build healthier connections with themselves and others.
Ashley strives to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and supported. She understands that starting therapy can feel overwhelming, and she meets clients with patience, empathy, and respect as they take steps toward healing, clarity, and growth.
- Phone:505-718-1369
- Email:ashley@rioranchofamilycounseling.net.net
Ashely Mendez-Kestler
LAMFT
CELINA'S BIO
She began her practice in Chihuahua, Mexico after graduating from Stanford University with a degree in Psychology. In Chihuahua, she provided therapy to survivors of violent crime and supported their families to navigate the judicial system. She later received her Master’s in Clinical Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University, with a focus on supporting youth and families in rural communities.
Ever the developmental psychology aficionado, Ms. Herrera uses infant-directed speech or “motherese” to train Emotional Support Animals (ESA). She can support you to deepen your relationship with your ESA, helping you to find life satisfaction. Pets are welcome in the office.
To refill her cup, she relaxes in the garden with her partner and cats at home.
- Phone:505-239-9756
- Email:celina@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Celina Herrera
LMSW
TONYA'S BIO
- Phone:505-814-1460
- Email:tonya@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Christina Klave
LAMFT
ALYSSA'S BIO
She has extensive experience working with young children and parents, which supports her ability to work effectively with individuals, families, couples, and children. Alyssa values creating a warm, collaborative therapeutic environment where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered in their growth. Having lived overseas, she brings a deep appreciation for cross-cultural experiences into her work and strives to practice with cultural humility and sensitivity, honoring each client’s unique background, values, and lived experiences. She looks forward to continuing to learn and grow as a systemic therapist, deepening her ability to support clients within the context of their relationships and unique environments.
- Phone:385-398-0236
- Email:alyssa@rioranchofamilycounseling.com
Alyssa Gaytan
Intern
CARA'S BIO
Her work blends systems thinking, emotion-focused therapy, mindfulness, and parts theory to support clients in healing, building self-compassion, and creating healthier, more secure relationships with themselves and others. Cara believes meaningful change happens when people feel supported, understood, and empowered. She offers a warm, nonjudgmental space where clients can slow down, listen internally, and reconnect with their own capacity for insight, resilience, and authenticity.
- Phone:310-990-1978
- Email:cara@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Cara Camicia
Intern
GRAYSON'S BIO
Grayson is passionate about mental health and is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and affirming space where clients feel comfortable expressing themselves and working toward personal growth. They value creativity, curiosity, and connection, and enjoy incorporating interests in art and literature as strengths that inform an empathetic approach to care. Outside of their work, Grayson enjoys art, books, and spending time with cats.
- Phone:505-975-6269
- Email:gray@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Grayson Dozal
Intern
KAMERYN'S BIO
Growing up in New Mexico has deeply shaped Kameryn’s commitment to serving individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life. Kameryn values advocacy, ethical practice, and culturally responsive care, and strives to approach clinical work with compassion, integrity, and respect. Kameryn’s goal is to support individuals seeking guidance, healing, and personal growth while maintaining strong ethical standards and a client-centered approach.
- Phone:505-510-3256
- Email:kameryn@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Kameryn Nuñez
Intern
ERIC'S BIO
He approaches therapy with deep curiosity, drawing from existential, psychoanalytic, and Zen perspectives. He enjoys working with dreams and encourages clients to express themselves freely.
He has a practical, direct approach to therapy, focusing on meaning-in-life, work and love, human connection, and expressing personal freedom and responsibility.
- Phone:(505) 416-1959
- Email:eric@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Eric Ortiz
Intern
MEGAN'S BIO
Megan believes deeply in the power of compassionate connection and in each person’s natural capacity for healing and growth. Her approach is grounded in empathy, authenticity, and genuine respect for every individual’s lived experience. She understands how overwhelming life can feel when anxiety, depression, trauma, or stress begin to interfere with daily life.
Recognizing that reaching out for support takes courage, Megan strives to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, valued, and understood. She believes in meeting clients where they are and collaborating with them toward meaningful change. Her goal is to help clients reconnect with their strengths, build resilience, and move forward with greater confidence and clarity—sometimes with a little humor along the way.
- Phone:505-585-1879
- Email:megan@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Megan Dempkey
Intern
TIM'S BIO
Originally from Hawaii, Timothy values slowing down and “talking story,” embracing the relaxed and restorative pace of the islands as a way to pause from the demands of everyday life. Through his Zen practice, he brings mindfulness and self-exploration, listening deeply and holding space for the shared moment of the here-and-now.
Timothy is a writer and essayist, exploring themes of self-compassion, self-care, relationships, anxiety, grief, and transformation. He helps clients find their voice and the words that open a path forward.
In his own words: “It’s all just a dance in the desert. When the dancing is done, the patterns in the sand are the scars of your story. Know that these scars, these patterns in the sand, are an invitation to get back up and dance.”
- Phone:(505) 738-4575
- Email:tim@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Timothy Hand
Intern
KACI'S BIO
Kaci Morgan
Administrative Assistant
TONYA'S BIO
- Phone:505-814-1460
- Email:tonya@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Grayson Dozal
Intern
BART'S BIO
- Phone:203-788-2620
- Email:bart@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Bart Schofield
Founder/MFT
RUTH'S BIO
- Phone:505 814-1460
- Email:ruth@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Ruth Schofield
MFT
MICHELLE'S BIO
As a Clinical Supervisor, Michelle is nationally approved by AAMFT (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy) and an approved supervisor with the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Board, and the Board of Social Work. With her expansive clinical experience Michelle is dedicated to helping her clients and our staff grow. Her supervision approach emphasizes a collaborative and reflective process, empowering supervisees to become confident and effective clinicians.
- Phone:505-818-3074
- Email:michelle@rioranchofamilycounseling.net
Michelle Welch
LMFT/Clinical Supervisor
Photo credits: TamFarmPhoto
Years Experience
Happy Clients
Problem Solved
Therapists
Why Therapy is So Rewarding
Therapy fosters self-awareness, emotional healing, personal growth, and empowers individuals to lead healthier, fulfilling lives.

Bring JOY back into your life

Therapy can focus on the complex problems of life

Renew your strengths and skills

Find more flavor in your everyday moments

Therapy can be a lifelong method of self-improvement

Therapy can mean upgrading to learn better tools for quick easy changes

Release the emotional charge of your yesterday traumas

Improve your ability to live your life more fully

Make an attitude change and improve your work life
In Collaboration With
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The number one gain from therapy is an improvement in one’s work life!
A happier person works better…is more able to hear corrections and directions without taking it all personally…and tends to engender a more positive outlook as a person.
Often this results in a promotion because of these changes as their personhood becomes more open, more willing to listen, less defensive all of which can flow into an improved ability to develop a better team spirit.
Therapy reminds us none of us is perfect! Fact is none of us had a perfect life. Each of us can use the comfort and support of someone to listen to our story. That someone can help us to find a way out of the tangle we find ourselves in – whether from our own choices or our evolving life pattern.
Therapy Over the Years
The beginning

First, as a child, adapting to life, to school, to a new sibling, the sudden presence of a grandparent, being away from home, sickness of oneself or of a primary family member.
The teen years

Then as a teenager, with raging hormones and cliques, and sports, and school, and parents’ rules…then college or not and the choice of a career or just a job.
Young adulthood

During our dating life therapy can be of value as we begin to date, fall in love, learn better how to listen and communicate; to marry or to live together; to have children or not, and when; to deal with in-laws and one’s new family influences; to balance work and family.
Couples

Individuals in the new couple stage may seek therapy to navigate communication differences, role expectations, and adjustment from individual to shared identities. Therapy can also support couples in addressing early conflict patterns, building emotional intimacy, and establishing healthy boundaries before challenges become entrenched.
Becoming parents

So often parents need someone to listen to their part of the differences they experience in their own relationship; to guide them in hearing their partner better; and especially to help them to develop together as a couple living more fruitful happy lives together.
Family

During the family stage of life, individuals may seek therapy to manage evolving roles, parenting challenges, and the emotional demands of balancing relationships, work, and caregiving. Therapy can help families improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen healthy patterns as children grow and family needs change.