Our Team
Lauren Morgan, LPCC
Clinical Director & Supervisor
Mental Health Therapist
Lauren Morgan has been working in the field of therapy since 2013. She graduated from Western Connecticut State University in 1997 with her Bachelors. It was later in life, after her daughters were born that she pursued her dream of becoming a therapist, and completed her Master’s degree from Capella University in 2013. She even attended graduation in Minneapolis! She was born and raised on the east coast but fell in love with New Mexico and moved here permanently in 2002.
Lauren enjoys and honors the experience of engaging in problem solving as well as non-judgmental support. She is eclectic in her approach to therapy, and sees each client as an individual, with different needs. Primarily, her therapy is grounded in Person Centered (Rogerian) theory. Additional modalities commonly used are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principals and techniques, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques. She has had an extensive history and feels comfortable working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, grief, emotional dysregulation, substance use, gender dysphoria, and family conflict. She enjoys individual work, from children to geriatrics. Her biggest hope is that the client leaves a session feeling more at peace and supported than when they walked in.
Lauren’s personal interests include art, movies, travel, thrifting, spending time with her husband and children and, of course, animals! One day, she would like to start a non-profit Trap-Neuter-Return(TNR) as a way of giving back! Her ultimate favorite food is chicken wings, and she has finally mastered sauce that puts big chains to shame!
Carey Walker, BA
Community Support Worker (CSW)
Behavioral Health Coach
Carey is a CSW/Behavioral Health Coach. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Child and Family with a minor in Psychology and she is currently obtaining her Master’s degree to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Carey has a passion for helping those in need and wants to advocate for you. With her background in psychology, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a genuine passion for helping others achieve their full potential. She draws from her experience in behavioral health coaching to guide individuals in setting and achieving meaningful goals that lead to positive and sustainable change.
Carey is currently seeing clients with a need for services within our community assisting them with self-regulation, anxiety, focusing skills, coping skills, routine building, job coaching, recovery, rehabilitation, and independent living. She enjoys collaborating with her clients to help them achieve their goals and overcome obstacles.
In her free time, Carey enjoys spending time with her family and friends, she loves to read, and play with her dogs. She has lived in Socorro most of her life and this community and the people in it are important to her.
Robert Griego, LMSW
Mental Health Therapist
Robert grew up in the community of Socorro, New Mexico. He has spent the past 10 years working in the mental and behavioral health field in various settings, as a Community Health Worker, as a client advocate, and as a Counselor/Therapist. Robert first received his Associates of Arts degree at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). Additionally, at CNM, he earned a certificate in Child Youth and Family Development. He then attended New Mexico Highlands University and received both his Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in 2015 and Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2017.
Robert is a Licensed Master Social Worker, who first began his journey as a therapist here in Socorro. He utilizes many strengths-based and evidence-based treatment modalities with clients, such as Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT); Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Cognitive Processing Therapy CPT) for trauma-informed care; Motivational Interviewing as a communication style to elicit change talk and to reflect empathy for client validation; Rogerian theory to emphasize the client and person-centered approach to therapy offering warmth, congruence, and unconditional positive regard. Robert has experience working with adults, younger adults, and adolescents experiencing life challenges/transitions to those experiencing more complex symptoms.
Robert enjoys outdoor activities, such as fishing, hiking, and just enjoying the serenity that nature offers as mechanisms of self-care. He is family-oriented and he enjoys spending time with his son and his family (nuclear and extended). Robert also enjoys writing to reflect on life.
Danielle Gordon, LMHC
Mental Health Therapist
Danielle Gordon is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who obtained her Bachelors degree in Psychology from New Mexico State University in 2017 and completed her Masters degree in Counseling from New Mexico Highlands University in 2020.
Danielle has a drive and passion for helping individuals, in and around her community, to heal and better themselves. With her background in psychology and counseling, she carries a wealth of knowledge that helps her lead her clients to success in setting and obtaining meaningful and sustainable goals for their future and overall wellbeing. She utilizes many strengths-based and evidence-based treatment modalities with clients, such as Person Centered theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and many grounding techniques, mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, and coping strategies. Her hope for her clients is that they are able to feel empowered to manage their mental health and to fully enjoy their lives.
Danielle was born and raised in Socorro County and enjoys her mountain views and wide open spaces that the area provides. In her free time, she enjoys tending to her goats, spending time with family and friends, and loving on her various dogs and cats.
Cathy Rico, LPCC
Mental Health Therapist
Cathy Rico is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with 14 years of experience in mental health therapy. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with an emphasis in applied behavioral analysis. Cathy received her Master of Arts degree in counseling from the University of New Mexico.
Cathy specializes in addressing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, improving self-esteem, substance use and conflicts in relationships. She employs evidence-based practices that integrate compassion and empathy. Cathy is trained in Motivational Interviewing, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing).
Cathy’s experiences have allowed her to develop a holistic understanding of the challenges individuals face. She is passionate about fostering resilience and personal growth and is dedicated to empowering clients to achieve their therapeutic goals and improve their overall well-being.
Cathy grew up in California and moved to New Mexico as a young adult where she raised her children. She currently enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends. Her hobbies include reading, watching movies and going to concerts.
Mandy is a New Mexico native. Born and raised in Farmington, she has 10+ years of accounting experience. While Mandy's educational background may not be rooted in healthcare, her extensive accounting expertise has made her a standout professional in the mental health billing field. Her unique journey from numbers to mental health billing is a testament to her adaptability and commitment to ensuring that mental health providers receive the financial support they need to make a meaningful impact on their patients' lives.
Mandy's 10+ years in the world of accounting have equipped her with an intricate understanding of financial processes, attention to detail, and a keen eye for identifying discrepancies—an ideal foundation for her transition into mental health billing. Her journey from accounting to mental health billing exemplifies the transformative power of dedication and the invaluable contribution she makes to the mental health community by ensuring that financial matters are expertly managed, allowing providers to focus on what matters most—the well-being of their patients.
Outside of her billing responsibilities, Mandy is a strong advocate for mental health awareness. She actively participates in webinars and community events to further her knowledge and promote destigmatization of mental health challenges. She even runs The Learning Path’s social media accounts!
In her spare time, Mandy enjoys spending time with her husband and her two dogs, reading about and exploring the universe with her nephews, and engaging in creating endeavors such as making models and writing in her book.
Mandy Lenocker
Certified Professional Biller
Susan DeHart
Front Office Admin
Susan joined The Learning Path team in December 2023. She comes to us with extensive experience from the Human Services Dept, Income Support Division. Susan worked for many years determining eligibility for public benefits like SNAP, TANF and Medicaid. This makes her a great source of information about the rules and workings of those benefits.
Known for her strong organizational skills and attention to detail, Susan adeptly coordinates schedules, maintains records, and assists with clerical tasks to streamline office processes. She thrives in fast-paced environments, handling multiple priorities with efficiency and professionalism.
With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, Susan welcomes visitors with a warm and friendly demeanor, creating a positive first impression for clients and guests. She also collaborates effectively with colleagues, fostering a cohesive and productive work environment.
Susan is a lifelong resident of Socorro and has spent a lot of time while at Human Services working with our community partners to help make a positive difference for the citizens of Socorro.
As a Community Support Worker, Rose is committed to empowering clients and promoting their well-being. Her role involves helping individuals access essential resources and services while providing practical and emotional support in their daily lives. She works with diverse populations, including seniors, children, individuals with disabilities, and those experiencing mental health or social barriers, ensuring they receive the care and assistance they need to thrive in their communities.
Currently pursuing her Master's in Social Work, Rose is learning advanced techniques for assessment, case management, and therapeutic interventions, to further her ability to support clients effectively. Her goal is to integrate both my hands-on experience and academic learning to advocate for vulnerable populations and create meaningful, positive changes in their lives.
With a passion for social justice and community engagement, Rose aspires to work within both direct service and advocacy roles in social work. She believes in the power of community connections and strives to build stronger, more inclusive environments for individuals to thrive. By blending her real-world experience as a Community Support Worker with her advanced education, she aims to be a catalyst for positive change and contribute to building healthier, more resilient communities.
Rose was born and raised in Socorro. In her free time, she enjoys watching new shows and movies and reading books. On the weekends she likes to spend her time outside whether it's going on a small hike or going fishing at the Rio Grande river. Rose enjoys spending time with her two dogs and her family, especially her siblings.
Rose Valenzuela
Community Support Worker (CSW)