Hello! My name is Sheena Merino, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. I earned both my bachelor’s degree in counseling and Community Psychology and my master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling at New Mexico State University. I have experience working in both school and clinical settings, providing support to children, adolescents, and families as they navigate a variety of emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. Throughout my experience, I have worked with concerns including anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood dysregulation, grief, behavioral challenges, and more complex mental health needs. I am passionate about helping children feel safe, understood, and empowered to be themselves while building the confidence and skills needed to navigate life’s transitions and upcoming stages of growth.
How I can help:
I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship begins with trust, connection, and truly getting to know each child as an individual. I prioritize building rapport and creating a supportive environment where children feel comfortable expressing themselves, exploring their strengths, and working toward their goals at their own pace. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and developmentally appropriate play-based interventions to help children strengthen emotional regulation, coping skills, self-awareness, and resilience. I enjoy working with children from diverse backgrounds and value creating an inclusive space where every child feels accepted. I also believe in the importance of collaboration and use a teamwork approach with parents, schools, and other providers to promote continuity of care and ensure children receive consistent support across the environments that are meaningful to them.
More about me:
Outside of work I enjoy spending quality time with my loved ones, touching base with my family in New Mexico, and discovering new food spots! I also enjoy swimming, staying active at the gym, and getting lost in a good book. Fun fact about me: I believe coffee and chocolate make almost any day better!