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Counseling Center

(505)216-7418

The SFIS Counseling Center has licensed clinical counselors on campus to support all high and middle school students. We utilize a holistic wellness framework that honors the whole person and the profound influence of the family system on the adolescent. Our services embrace the SFIS Core Value of Acceptance (inclusive of diversity) and are provided in a trauma informed and culturally sensitive manner.

Staff are available Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Fridays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The counseling offices are located in the High School Dormitory, Middle School Dormitory and the School Health Center.
The Counseling Center provides the following services:
• Drop-In counseling available Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm in School Health Center
• Short term (8-12 sessions) of Individual, group or family therapy
• Common issues treated include anxiety and depression, substance abuse, grief/loss, life transitions, trauma, ADHD, suicidal ideation and self-harm, family stress, peer relationship problems
• Provide community referrals and resources as needed for additional student and family support
• Telehealth family therapy sessions
SFIS Counseling Center does submit claims to Medicaid and other third-party Managed Care Organizations to reimburse our providers for services rendered. We do not bill for or collect co-payments. Our services will be provided regardless of a student’s ability to pay for services and no out of pocket costs are ever collected.

CONSENT FOR TREATMENT
Clients 14 years of age and older have the legal right to consent to and receive mental health services without the consent of a legal guardian. However, SFIS believes that parental or guardian involvement in therapy and other services, when possible, is an integral part of an effective process. Therefore, it is our practice to request an agreement with a child between 14 and 18 years of age and their legal guardian that we be able to share general information about the progress of the child’s treatment and their attendance at scheduled sessions. Any other communication will require the child’s authorization. Legal guardians have the right to review records of children under 14 years of age unless SFIS decides that such access is likely to cause emotional harm to the child. It is our practice to respect a child’s request regarding this issue whenever possible. With children under the age of 14 years, we do expect consistent parental or guardian involvement in the form of formal, scheduled sessions with legal guardians at a frequency that we agree is appropriate. These typically occur every 4-6 individual sessions that we are working with the child.
 
CONFIDENTIALITY OF COUNSELING SERVICES
SFIS Counseling Center provides confidential counseling services. Confidentiality and privacy is preserved unless there is Release of Information signed by the client or parent on file. The licensed counselors are required, as mandated reporters by law, to report any concerns of safety to the proper tribal and legal authorities for any person under the age of 18. See 45 CFR Section 164.512 (a), (c). The following refers to limits of confidentiality. The law protects the privacy of all communications between therapist and client except in the following situations:
  • If abuse or neglect of a child under 18 years old is suspected, or if a child discloses abuse or neglect directly to us, we are required by law to inform the appropriate authorities, which begins with SFIS designated administrator and School Resource Officer, and can then proceed to appropriate law enforcement or social service agency who has jurisdiction over the child.
  • If we believe that a client presents a substantial and imminent risk of serious harm to another person, we are required by law to take protective action which may include notifying the potential victim, contacting the police, or seeking hospitalization for the client.
  • If a client presents a substantial risk or serious harm to himself/herself, we are required by law to contact family members (usually a legal guardian) who can help provide protection and to facilitate hospitalization for the client. Once notified, it is the guardian’s responsibility to provide this protection and appropriate medical and/or mental health care for their child.
  • Personal identifying information may be given to emergency medical services in order to protect the client in the event of an imminent risk to self or others or in the case of a medical emergency.
  • Insurance companies require that we disclose some information regarding assessment and treatment in order to be reimbursed for the cost of services. We make it a practice to disclose the minimum information required.
  • If you are involved in a court proceeding and Santa Fe Indian School is ordered by the court to disclose information, we are required by law to do so.
COUNSELING CENTER REFERRAL
Students can be referred to the counseling center by school faculty and staff, family, other students, community members, or by themselves. Depending on the level of urgency for the referral, a meeting with a counselor will occur within 24-48 hours to determine counseling needs. A student seeking counseling services can request a pass to the School Health Center and speak to a counselor directly during Drop In Counseling hours.
 
 SFIS Counseling Center Comment, Compliment or Complaint Form
SFIS Counseling Center is committed to providing the highest quality mental health services to our students and families. We appreciate all kinds of feedback to help us with our continuous quality improvement. If you would like to provide us with feedback please click below to fill out the SFIS Counseling Center Comment Compliment or Complaint Form.
 
 
 

Community Resources

1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474)
1-855-227-5485 (tty)
TEXT  "HELP" to 741741, to contact a crisis counselor immediately.
 
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Directory
5 Actions Program  1(505) 852-1377
Agora Crisis Center     1-866-HELP-1-NM, In Abq. 1-505-277-3013
Butterfly Healing Circle 1 (575) 751-7688
New Mexico Department of Health 1 (800) QUIT-NOW, (1-800-784-8669)
 
Other Resources
Nation Lifeline Suicide Prevention    1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Gerard's House-Grief Support     1-505-424-1800
We R Native                                              
Active Minds                                             
The Trevor Project  1-866-488-7386
 You Matter                                                
 Stop Bullying                                           
 
Food Help resources:
 
How to apply for Medicaid, Food, or Energy Assistance:
Yes NM   
 
Need Clothing Assistance?
 

Meet our Counselors

 Amber Tenorio, LMFT, Laguna Pueblo, Hopi/Tewa, Creek, Clinical Counselor.

I love working at Santa Fe Indian School because Santa Fe Indian School is like my second home. I graduated from SFIS in 1996 and I have many fond memories of staff and friends I made while I was a student at SFIS. I could not be happier to now be working as a counselor at the school. I love helping our students and making connections from all our pueblo communities and other tribal nations. While I was a student at SFIS I participated in Track & Field and Cross Country and I have continued the practice of running to this day. I am a mother of six and am usually very busy taking care of my children, however I do make time for my favorite hobbies which include running, walking, hiking, cooking, hunting and spending time with family and friends.

Geraldine Lovato, LMSW, LSAA from the Pueblo of San Felipe, Clinical Counselor

My favorite part of working at SFIS is the network of support within the community. This is where I see the saying “it takes a village to raise a child” become truth.  I have been here at SFIS for 14 years worked my way to become a Clinical Counselor.  I saw the need for cultural relevance by clinicians who understand our students’ traditions and culture and using this to assist in overall wellness.

My favorite thing about working with teens is how unique each student is and watching them discover what their potential and successes can be, seeing them develop into resilient young adults by the time they graduate from SFIS. 

My hobbies and interests are spending time with family whether it’s having family game nights, watching movies, or out cheering for our grandkids at their sporting events. Reading a good book when I need some quiet time.

What I do to maintain my own wellness is art, I am an artist who loves to be creative by crafting many things, pottery, painting jewelry, beadwork, sewing or embroidery. I have developed a love for Mindfulness and found this to be great way to stay focused, centered and having awareness of mind, body, and spirit. As indigenous people we have had these skills for centuries which have been handed down for generations to help us be the resilient people that we are.

MorningStar Garcia, LCSW (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians/Ohkay Owingeh).  

I am a Clinical Counselor at Santa Fe Indian School.  I love being part of the SFIS family and being able to incorporate culture/traditions into counseling.  My favorite thing about working with teens is their ability to think outside of the box.  Teens are so resilient and creative.  I enjoy spending time with my family, going on road trips with my daughters and going to concerts.

Myron Burger- L.S.A.A. (Drug and Alcohol Counselor)Shuswap Nation, Williams Lake Indian Band, British Columbia Canada.

I am a veteran of Persian Gulf war, served in the United States Navy submarine fleet, stationed out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. I have over thirty years of sobriety.

Working at SFIS has been a great honor and joy. I have not raised any children of my own, so working with them lets me have that space as an adult to encourage their development and watch them discover new things. To help them open new doors of possibilities. The resilience of our youth is empowering and beautiful to see as they navigate living in “Two Worlds”. For my wellness I like to eat a healthy diet, go out for hikes, meditate, and sleep well. Love and cherish in participation of cultural activities such as sweats, sun dances, dancing at powwows, picking berries, medicines, and dip netting for salmon.

May the creator bless you and bring you peace, love and happiness.

“Be the change, Be the difference, Be you”

KenKeknem (Black Bear)