Nicole Clay, LSAA
Nicole Clay is a Licensed Substance Abuse Associate who is passionate about helping individuals overcome substance use disorders and build healthier, more meaningful lives. She believes every person deserves compassionate, individualized care that recognizes both the challenges they have faced and the strengths they already possess.
"Recovery is about discovering your strength, believing in your potential, and realizing that every new day offers another opportunity to grow."
Discovering Strength, Building Hope
Nicole Clay is a Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA) who is passionate about helping individuals overcome substance use disorders and build healthier, more meaningful lives.
She believes every person deserves compassionate, individualized care that recognizes both the challenges they have faced and the strengths they already possess. Nicole strives to create a supportive environment where clients feel comfortable sharing their experiences, exploring personal growth, and developing the confidence needed for lasting recovery.
As a Primary Therapist at Desert Mountain Healing IOP, Nicole provides individual counseling, facilitates group therapy, and works collaboratively with the treatment team to develop personalized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each client.
Her warm, encouraging approach helps clients recognize that recovery is not simply about overcoming addiction—it's about creating a life filled with purpose, connection, and hope.
Experience in Addiction & Behavioral Health
Nicole has experience working with individuals experiencing substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other behavioral health challenges.
She is committed to helping clients understand the underlying factors contributing to addiction while teaching practical skills that support long-term recovery and emotional wellness.
Nicole believes meaningful recovery involves developing healthy coping strategies, strengthening relationships, improving self-esteem, and building the confidence to overcome life's challenges without returning to substance use.
She works closely with the multidisciplinary team at Desert Mountain Healing IOP to ensure clients receive comprehensive, coordinated care throughout every stage of their recovery journey.
Committed to Lifelong Learning
Professional Credentials
- Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA)
Education & Future Goals
- University of New Mexico (UNM) - Graduate
- Bachelor's Degree - Currently in progress (expected completion 2027)
- Master's Degree - Planning to pursue graduate education in counseling or social work
Nicole is deeply committed to ongoing professional development and academic growth. She regularly participates in continuing education opportunities and stays current on emerging best practices in addiction treatment and behavioral health.
Compassionate, Strengths-Based Care
Nicole's therapeutic approach combines evidence-based interventions with a warm, supportive style that helps clients feel respected and empowered.
Core Treatment Modalities
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors
- Motivational Interviewing (MI): Supporting clients in exploring their own motivations for change
- Strengths-Based Therapy: Focusing on client strengths, resilience, and personal resources
- Relapse Prevention: Building skills and strategies for maintaining long-term recovery
- Trauma-Informed Care: Creating a safe, supportive environment that recognizes the impact of trauma
Nicole believes that recovery is most successful when clients feel genuinely heard, valued, and supported in developing their own path forward.
Comprehensive Support for Recovery
Nicole 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
- Relationship and family conflict
- Life transitions and adjustment challenges
- Emotional regulation and stress management
- Self-esteem and confidence building
- Relapse prevention and recovery maintenance
Her holistic approach addresses not just the addiction itself, but the underlying emotional, psychological, and social factors that contribute to substance use.
Building Connection and Community
Nicole facilitates group therapy sessions that provide clients with opportunities to connect with others, share experiences, and build supportive relationships.
Benefits of Group Therapy
- Reduces feelings of isolation and shame
- Provides peer support and accountability
- Offers diverse perspectives and insights
- Builds communication and interpersonal skills
- Reinforces recovery concepts through shared learning
- Creates a sense of community and belonging
Nicole creates a safe, respectful group environment where clients feel comfortable sharing their stories and supporting one another's recovery journeys.
What Clients Say
"Nicole helped me see that I had strengths I didn't even know existed. She believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself."
"I felt comfortable talking to Nicole from day one. She listened without judgment and helped me work through things I'd been avoiding for years."
"Nicole's groups were so helpful. Connecting with others who understood what I was going through made recovery feel less overwhelming."
A Shared Commitment to Compassionate Care
Nicole 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 whole-person care, collaborative treatment planning, and creating a supportive environment where clients feel respected and empowered.
Nicole is proud to be part of a team that shares her values of empathy, integrity, and the belief that recovery is possible for everyone willing to take the first step.
Personal Interests and Wellness
Outside of her professional work, Nicole values spending time with family and friends, exploring New Mexico's natural beauty, 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 for her clients—bringing the compassion, energy, and focus they deserve.
Nicole is also committed to lifelong learning and regularly attends professional development trainings, workshops, and continuing education opportunities to stay current on best practices in addiction treatment and behavioral health.