Alicia Chavez, LSAA
Alicia Chavez is a Licensed Substance Abuse Associate who is passionate about helping individuals overcome substance use disorders and develop the skills needed to achieve lasting recovery. She believes that every person's recovery journey is unique, and effective treatment begins by listening without judgment and building a therapeutic relationship founded on trust, compassion, and respect.
"Every person deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and create a future filled with hope."
Compassionate Support for Lasting Change
Alicia Chavez is a Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA) who is passionate about helping individuals overcome substance use disorders and develop the skills needed to achieve lasting recovery.
She believes that every person's recovery journey is unique, and effective treatment begins by listening without judgment, understanding each individual's experiences, and building a therapeutic relationship founded on trust, compassion, and respect.
At Desert Mountain Healing IOP, Alicia provides individual counseling, facilitates group therapy, and works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary treatment team to help clients overcome barriers, strengthen coping skills, and build healthier, more meaningful lives.
Her compassionate and encouraging approach helps clients recognize their strengths while empowering them to take ownership of their recovery journey.
Experience in Addiction Counseling
Alicia has experience working with individuals facing substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and other behavioral health challenges.
She believes meaningful recovery requires more than abstinence. It involves developing healthy relationships, improving emotional wellness, strengthening communication, and learning practical strategies for navigating life's challenges without returning to substance use.
As a counselor, Alicia is committed to helping clients discover their resilience and develop the confidence needed to create lasting change. She works alongside each individual to identify their strengths, address obstacles, and develop realistic goals that support lifelong recovery.
Her collaborative style encourages clients to actively participate in their treatment while celebrating progress and learning from setbacks.
Academic Foundation & Continued Growth
Professional Credentials
- Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA)
Education
- Bachelor's Degree - University of New Mexico (UNM)
- Ongoing professional development and continuing education
Alicia is committed to ongoing professional development and lifelong learning to ensure she provides clients with the most current, effective evidence-based treatment approaches.
Client-Centered, Strengths-Based Care
Alicia's therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, respect, and the belief that every individual has the capacity to heal and grow.
Treatment Philosophy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helping clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors
- Motivational Interviewing (MI): Supporting clients in exploring their own reasons for change and building motivation
- Strengths-Based Therapy: Focusing on client strengths, resilience, and resources
- Relapse Prevention: Building practical skills and strategies for maintaining long-term recovery
- Trauma-Informed Care: Creating a safe, supportive environment that recognizes the impact of trauma
Alicia believes that successful recovery happens when clients feel truly heard, respected, and empowered to make positive changes in their lives.
Supporting Recovery Across Multiple Challenges
Alicia provides counseling and support for individuals facing:
- Substance use disorders (alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis)
- Co-occurring mental health conditions (anxiety, depression)
- Trauma and adverse life experiences
- Life transitions and adjustment challenges
- Relationship and family conflict
- Emotional regulation and stress management
- Relapse prevention and recovery maintenance
- Building healthy coping skills and self-care practices
Her compassionate, nonjudgmental approach helps clients feel safe exploring difficult issues while working toward meaningful, sustainable change.
Building Community and Connection
In addition to individual counseling, Alicia facilitates group therapy sessions where clients can connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges.
Benefits of Group Therapy
- Reduces isolation and helps clients realize they're not alone
- Provides peer support, encouragement, and accountability
- Offers opportunities to practice communication and interpersonal skills
- Reinforces recovery concepts through shared learning
- Builds a sense of community and belonging
Alicia creates a safe, respectful group environment where clients feel comfortable sharing their experiences and supporting one another's recovery journeys.
What Clients Say
"Alicia helped me see my strengths when all I could see were my failures. She gave me hope that recovery was possible."
"I felt comfortable talking to Alicia about things I'd never shared with anyone. She listened without judgment and helped me work through some really difficult issues."
"Alicia's groups were so helpful. Hearing other people's stories and knowing I wasn't alone made a huge difference in my recovery."
A Shared Commitment to Compassionate Care
Alicia was drawn to Desert Mountain Healing IOP because of its commitment to providing individualized, compassionate treatment that truly meets clients where they are.
She appreciated the program's emphasis on treating the whole person, building strong therapeutic relationships, and creating a supportive environment where clients feel respected and empowered.
Alicia is proud to be part of a team that shares her values of empathy, collaboration, and the belief that recovery is possible for everyone willing to do the work.
Personal Interests and Wellness
Outside of her professional work, Alicia values spending time with family, exploring New Mexico's beautiful landscapes, and engaging in activities that support her own mental and physical wellness.
She believes that maintaining her own self-care and balance allows her to show up fully present and grounded for her clients—bringing the compassion, energy, and focus they deserve.
Alicia is also committed to ongoing learning and professional growth, regularly attending trainings, workshops, and continuing education opportunities to stay current on best practices in addiction treatment and behavioral health.