Paz Counseling LLC

Paz Counseling LLC serves adults from all backgrounds who are seeking support with a range of mental health concerns and personal goals. Individual and couples counseling are available in English and Spanish.

Paz Counseling is located at The Source on Carlisle SE in Albuquerque, and Zoom video sessions for therapy are also available if meeting in online is more convenient. 

The word paz is the Spanish word for peace. My first name, Irini, is the Greek word for peace.

Names matter. My work — and my passion — is helping bring more peace into people’s lives and into the world through individual counseling, couples counseling, and the other services I offer.

My Approach

Helping people cultivate presence, deepen connection, and live with greater peace.

My approach to counseling is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Relationship Enhancement (RE), and mindfulness-based practices. These approaches help people develop greater awareness of their thoughts and emotions while learning practical skills to respond to life in ways that are more aligned with their values.

ACT helps people learn how to relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings so they are no longer controlled by them. Instead of getting stuck in worry, self-criticism, or painful emotional loops, clients learn how to make space for their internal experiences while moving toward a meaningful and engaged life.

Relationship Enhancement is a highly practical and research-based approach that helps individuals and couples improve communication, deepen understanding, and strengthen emotional connection. These skills help people express themselves more clearly, listen more deeply, and respond to each other with greater empathy and respect.

Mindfulness and the cultivation of presence are central to my work. Learning how to slow down, observe our inner experience, and become more present with ourselves and others can create profound shifts in how we live our lives.

I especially enjoy working with people who are thoughtful, reflective, and interested in living with greater awareness and intention. Many of the individuals I work with consider themselves spiritual or religious, while others simply feel a desire to live with more wisdom, skill, and alignment with their deepest values.

Ultimately, my goal as a counselor is to help people develop the capacity for greater presence, healthier relationships, and a life that feels more authentic, meaningful, and peaceful.

In addition to my core approaches, I also draw from other therapeutic perspectives when helpful for a client’s growth. These may include parts work (IFS-informed approaches), existential therapy, Gestalt therapy including dream exploration, and intuitive or reflective practices that support deeper self-understanding.

I tailor the work to each individual or couple so that therapy remains practical, meaningful, and aligned with your values and goals.

Insurance and Payment

I accept the following insurance plans for counseling services:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield
  
  

• Presbyterian
  
  

• Molina
  
  

• UnitedHealthcare
  
  

• Aetna
  
  

These plans include most Medicaid plans.

Clients are responsible for verifying their insurance coverage, including copays, deductibles, and any session limits, directly with their insurance provider prior to their first appointment. Clients are also responsible for knowing their copay and paying it at the time of each session.

Please note that clients are ultimately responsible for payment of services, including any portion of fees not covered by insurance.

For individuals who do not have insurance or prefer to pay privately, the fee for a 50-minute counseling session is $150.