Find a Top Psychiatrist Near Me in Rio Rancho, NM – Book an Appointment Instantly

Judy Johnson-Howey, PMHNP-BC, MSN, brings over two decades of nursing experience to mental health care. With a master's degree earned in 2021, she specializes in substance abuse, outpatient psychiatry, and telehealth. She is dedicated to breaking stigma and advancing mental health awareness while providing evidence-based care tailored to each patient's needs. In every interaction, I strive to embody the values of empathy, integrity, and resilience. I am humbled by the opportunity to walk alongside individuals and families on their journey toward healing and wholeness, and I am honored to be a trusted partner in their mental health journey. In my practice, I emphasize a comprehensive approach to mental health care, blending evidence-based medication management with therapeutic support tailored to each individual's unique needs. I am dedicated to fostering collaboration and empowerment, empowering my patients to take an active role in their mental health. Special appointment on request.

Through active listening and thoughtful questioning, I am to deliver high quality and efficient care that utilizes advanced research and evidence-based practice. I have a passion to work with people dealing with ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Panic disorders, Insomnia, PTSD, Bipolar disorder, and many more. I understand everyone is fighting a hard battle, that is why I work passionately to help people address their mental health concerns. I earned my Doctorate degree from Northern Kentucky University and PMHNP degree for Maryville University St. Louis. I have spent the last five years tirelessly working with people to make their lives better.

Dr. Merhege was born and raised in New Mexico with a lifelong connection to the land and its people.  Her decision to pursue a career in medicine is rooted in her ongoing desire to make a positive difference in the quality of her patients’ lives.

Dr. Merhege received a Bachelor of Science from New Mexico State University and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of New Mexico.  Her master’s thesis research centered on proteins involved in learning and memory. Dr. Merhege is the author/co-author of several scientific journal publications.

Dr. Merhege earned her Medical Degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine where she went on to complete a residency in psychiatry.  She served as chief resident in her 4^th year of residency where she discovered how much she enjoyed teaching and training others.  She also directed her own learning towards pain medicine in order to prepare herself for the next phase of training.

Dr. Merhege completed a pain medicine fellowship through the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of New Mexico.  Her program was multidisciplinary with a focus on interventional spine interventions.

Dr. Merhege is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Pain Medicine.  She is a volunteer faculty member at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and enjoys teaching medical students and residents.

Dr. Merhege offers a wide range of treatments for pain management, and she believes that every patient deserves a specialized and individualized treatment plan.   Her services include modalities targeting the spine, peripheral nerves, and joints.  She continues her training so she can add new and developing procedures to help modulate pain.  She is excited to grow her practice in regenerative medicine. 

Dr. Merhege is a member of the Spine Intervention Society and she is dedicated to keeping her knowledge and skills up to date and expanding to serve her patients.  She feels privileged that individuals entrust their care to her and she believes patients should take an active part in their treatment plan for the best results.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Merhege enjoys outdoor activities, photography, sports, travel, cooking, and spending time with her spouse, family, and rescue dog. 

Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services in Los Lunas, Albuquerque, and Rio Rancho, New Mexico, has a team of highly skilled, experienced doctors and nurse practitioners offering comprehensive and compassionate care to people aged 4 and over. Patients can expect integrated, personalized care and accessible appointments, including secure telepsychiatry consultations.

The team believes that its customers’ needs are of utmost importance, and every team member is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services’ business is from repeat customers and referrals.

Patients receive expert diagnosis and treatment for symptoms of conditions ranging from schizophrenia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and mood disorders. Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services also offers specialized child psychiatry and geriatric mental health care.

Treatments available at Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services include cutting-edge innovations such as BrainsWay® deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (Deep TMS™), Spravato™ esketamine nasal spray, and full spectrum lights. The team also excels in multiple talk therapies and has expert medication management skills.

Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services provides an environment that values individuality and respects the human person. The practice accepts Medicare and Medicaid, the diverse team members speak Spanish and English, and they work closely with LGBTQIA+ people.

The patient is always the most important part of the team, whose members welcome the opportunity to earn new patients’ trust and deliver the best service available. Call Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services today or book an appointment online to benefit from the highest quality mental health care. 

Nancy M. Shiess, DO, is an osteopathic doctor at Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services in Los Lunas and Rio Rancho, New Mexico. She has over 30 years of healthcare experience and is passionate about providing evidence-based integrative psychiatric services. 

 

Dr. Schiess began her education at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, receiving her bachelor’s degree in human development. She later completed a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Dr. Schiess then pursued her Doctor of Osteopathy at the University of New England in Bedford, Maine. 

 

After achieving her medical degree, she completed an internship in osteopathic medicine with the Metropolitan Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Upon completing the internship, she obtained board certification in general internal medicine and surgery from the Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. 

 

Following this, Dr. Schiess completed her residency in psychiatry at the University of New Mexico and Veterans Administration Hospitals in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she received and has maintained board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. 

 

Dr. Shiess has served several healthcare centers throughout her career, including Transitional Living Services and Forensic Mental Health Care, where she presently works, both in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

 

She is also a certified diplomate in general medicine and surgery by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and holds medical licensure in the state of New Mexico.

 

Dr. Shiess looks forward to meeting the needs of new and current patients at Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services in Los Lunas and Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and working alongside the Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services team.

Mario A. Gutierrez, APRN, MSN, PMHNP-BC, is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services in Los Lunas and Rio Rancho, New Mexico. He has over 10 years of experience in mental health nursing and is dedicated to caring for diverse inpatient and outpatient adults.

 

Mario began his education at Saint Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, receiving his bachelor’s degree in biology. He later earned his Master of Education from the University of Texas in El Paso.  

 

Discovering his passion for health care, Mario pursued his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Texas. After earning his nursing degree, Mario served as a registered nurse in intensive care and immediate care unit at The Hospitals of Providence in El Paso, Texas. 

 

During this time, Mario also served as a registered nurse at the El Paso Psychiatric Center in Texas for the Texas Department of Health Services. He later served in the Mental Health Intensive Care Case Management (MHICM) program for Veteran Affairs, leading a team in providing mental health services for severely mentally ill veterans.

 

Mario then achieved his Master of Science in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky. After this, he served as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at several locations like La Clinica De Familia in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Sunwest Behavioral Health Organization in El Paso, and presently, El Paso VA HCS in El Paso. 

 

Mario enjoys working alongside the Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services team and creating positive relationships with new and current patients. He looks forward to using his various healthcare experiences to provide quality patient care.

Adriana Vizcaino, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, is a dual board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. She offers comprehensive, patient-centered treatment for individuals at Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services in Los Lunas, Albuquerque, and Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Adriana earned her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification from Purdue Global University and completed her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Texas at El Paso. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and maintains active board certifications as both a PMHNP and FNP.

She is also fully licensed in Texas and holds a DEA registration, as well as BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications. Adriana’s background includes emergency department nursing, hospitalist care, school health services, and clinical education as a university preceptor.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Adriana is committed to delivering culturally responsive, evidence-based psychiatric and primary care services that support long-term wellness and improved quality of life.

Mary Monday, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services in Los Lunas, Albuquerque, and Rio Rancho, New Mexico. She brings nearly two decades of combined international and U.S.-based nursing and behavioral health experience.

Mary completed her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Walden University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. She also completed advanced post-basic psychiatric nursing training in Kaduna, Nigeria. She holds active New Mexico APRN and RN licenses and maintains national board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In addition, she is certified in both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

Prior to transitioning into advanced practice, Mary built a strong foundation as a registered nurse in behavioral hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care settings. This diverse background allows her to approach care with a holistic perspective that integrates medical stability, emotional support, and long-term recovery planning.

Mary is known for her compassionate communication style, strong advocacy for patient well-being, and collaborative approach to multidisciplinary care. She is committed to helping individuals achieve improved mental health outcomes through evidence-based, personalized treatment.

Sara Ornelas, PMHNP-BC, MSN, APRN, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate mental health care at Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services in Los Lunas, Albuquerque, and Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Sara earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatric Mental Health from the University of Texas at El Paso and brings more than 26 years of experience in the healthcare field.

Throughout her career, Sara has supported individuals navigating a wide range of mental health concerns, including ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Her clinical approach emphasizes individualized treatment planning, careful medication management when appropriate, and evidence-based therapeutic strategies tailored to each patient’s needs.

At Guadalupe Psychiatric & Mental Health Services, Sara works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary care team to ensure coordinated, comprehensive behavioral health support. She is known for creating a welcoming and respectful environment where patients feel heard, supported, and empowered throughout their treatment journey.

Sara is committed to ongoing professional growth and clinical excellence, staying informed on evolving psychiatric care standards and best practices. Her goal is to help patients build resilience, improve emotional well-being, and achieve lasting mental health stability through thoughtful, patient-centered care.

Helena Sennessie, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner serving patients at Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services in Los Lunas, Albuquerque, and Rio Rancho, New Mexico. 

She brings a strong clinical background in acute care, outpatient psychiatry, rehabilitation, and community-based mental health services, with a patient-centered approach grounded in empathy, cultural awareness, and evidence-based care.

Helena earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing from the University of Texas at El Paso and completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

She maintains active APRN and RN licensure in Texas, along with APRN-CNP licensure in New Mexico. Her professional credentials include ANCC board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner across the lifespan, DEA registration, and controlled substance licensure.

Helena is especially passionate about mental health advocacy and expanding access to quality psychiatric services for underserved communities. She is committed to helping patients develop resilience, emotional stability, and long-term wellness through personalized treatment planning and collaborative care.

Dr. Hall is board certified in both General and Geriatric Psychiatry and has over 28 years of experience in the Mental Health area. Dr. Hall completed a residency in General Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University and in Geriatric Psychiatry at Yale Medical School. She has researched and presented in professional symposia on various topics, notably on special problems of Hispanic and Spanish speaking elders, dementia, and “yelling out” behaviors in geriatric patients. Dr. Hall has both correctional and educational experience as a Psychiatrist for the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque NM and as an Asst. Prof. and Attending Psychiatrist at the University of NM Mental Health Center. A native Spanish speaker, Dr. Hall practices in English or Spanish. She is licensed in the state of New Mexico.