Our Therapists
Hope Varela
CEO, LISW, LCSW, LADAC
Hope has been a direct practice therapist for over 25 years. She has various experience in working with children, adults and families. Most recently she has worked in the substance abuse field. Hope has taught in the field of psychology and social work at Northern New Mexico College and New Mexico Highlands University. Hope is committed to not only treating clients of all backgrounds and life stressors, she is committed to teaching her staff and upcoming therapists to develop into the best therapists possible. Hope specializes in treating substance abuse, depression, anxiety and trauma. In her spare time, Hope loves spending time with family, reading, collecting Beatles memorabilia, and spending time with her dog, Milo.
Louella Arellano
LMSW
compassionate and dedicated therapist with 20 years of experience in the field. Throughout her career, she has been committed to providing support and guidance to individuals from diverse backgrounds, with a special focus on those impacted by the New Mexico court system. Louella's expertise and empathetic approach have made her a trusted resource for those seeking to navigate complex emotional and social challenges. In her free time Louella enjoys going to the gym, playing with her dogs, and spending time with her family.
Lauren Jones
New Paragraph
A therapist is a mental health professional who helps individuals or groups address various mental health problems. One critical task of a therapist is to assess and diagnose clients by gathering details about their mental health conditions, symptoms, stress factors, and personal background.
Daniel Lopez
LHMC
Daniel is originally from Southern New Mexico. He grew up in the tri-state area of New Mexico, Texas, and Chihuahua where his family is originally from. Daniel has worked as a counselor in various parts of the State of New Mexico and he resettled in Albuquerque, NM five years ago. He has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in varied capacities in mental health and substance abuse counseling. He is part of teams of clinicians that offer Alternative Dispute Resolutions such as Workplace Employee Mediation as well as working with Charter Schools to customize their particular counseling and related programs to meet their needs and suit their requirements and resources. He is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, served in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, which he draws on as motivation and empathy in serving as a clinician for veterans and servicemembers or varied backgrounds and identities. In personal and social aspects Daniel enjoys hiking, biking, gardening, do it yourself projects, reading, and watching documentaries as he is an avid and life-long student of history, science, and the metaphysics amongst a host of topics and subjects he finds of interest. Novel activities, travel, and learning about different cultures and customs are also some of his more social intrigues.
Sarah Strongin
LMSW
Sarah is a clinical social worker specializing in grief and bereavement, anxiety and mood disorders, and supporting ADHD and Autistic clients. She works with teens and adult clients throughout the lifespan, with focus on New Mexico's LGBTQ+ community. Sarah primarily utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and takes a client-centered approach to help people make their way through painful life events and utilize their unique strengths. Sarah grew up in Albuquerque, finished her undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University, obtained advanced clinical psychology training at the University of Detroit Mercy, and completed her Masters of Social Work at New Mexico Highlands. While not at work, Sarah is passionate about cooking and learning new recipes.
Elizabeth Nelson
MSW
Elizabeth Nelson is a dedicated therapist with a master's degree in social work from New Mexico State University. Along with a bachelor's in psychology from the University of New Mexico. She specializes in working with children and families, particularly those involved with the child welfare system. Additionally, Elizabeth has extensive experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and has worked in local schools providing social work services to students and staff. Her compassionate approach and expertise make her a valuable asset in providing holistic and effective therapy services. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her dog, going on nature walks, and thrifting.
Elaine Padilla
LCSW
Elain Padilla received her MSW from Indiana University in 1986. From 1988 to 1994. She received her LCSW in New Mexico in 2004. Past experiences included outpatient therapy/emergency services, coordinator at a mental health center, and therapist in a group home. She was a social for 21 years at APS. She is going on being a outpatient therapist here at outcomes for 15 years.
Michael Davis
LMHC
Michael Davis is an experienced therapist who is dedicated to the clients he serves. Michael earned a master's degree in counseling with a concentration in mental health from University of Phoenix. In addition, he holds a bachelor's degree in human services from University of Phoenix. Michael specializes in working with children, adolescent and adult populations. Michael has extensive experience working within substance abuse and mental health. His personable demeanor and compassionate approach make him a valued asset at Outcomes Inc., in providing evidenced based treatment. In his free time he enjoys literature, movies, music, food, and playing basketball.