Paz Counseling LLC

Paz Counseling LLC serves adults of all backgrounds with a range of mental health concerns and goals. Individual and couples counseling can be provided in English or Spanish. Paz Counseling is located at The Source on Carlise SE in Albuquerque.  Zoom video calls for therapy or life coaching are also available if it's difficult for you to meet in person. 

The word PAZ is the Spanish word for PEACE.  My first name is Irini and this is the Greek word for PEACE.   Names matter, and I believe that my work (and passion for it)  is to help bring more peace into people's lives and the world through individual counseling and couples counseling as well as other services I provide (see below). 

My full name is Irini Georgas and I'm an independently Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, or LPCC  I'm originally from Australia, and apparently I still have my Aussie accent even though I've lived in Albuquerque for 20 years! 

My experience with clients is varied. I have worked with victims of crime, trauma survivors, people suffering from addictions, anxiety and/or depression, individuals who were abused as children, and adults who just generally feel unsatisfied with their lives and where things are heading. 

I treat people on an individual basis, though I also see couples who want to enhance their connection. My job involves helping people move through grief and loss, understand and deal with trauma, sort through confusion, improve or end relationships amicably, get past procrastination, address career or life stage concerns as well as other mental health challenges. I provide practical, intuitive and compassionate counseling. Once I get to know people, I like a good joke and laugh. Life is to be enjoyed and counseling is a place where we explore that and get to practice being in the present and being our most "alive" selves. 

I also have experience and enjoy working with individuals who have been negatively affected by religion or cults in the past. I work well with individuals who see themselves as ‘spiritual’ or even religious, but who deep down may feel confused about their beliefs, and who experience debilitating shame and guilt. I also welcome atheists and agnostics to my practice, and provide therapy tailored to eqch individual and couples goals and values.  

I enjoy working with people who are intuitive or who want to develop their intuition or just their creativity for more joy, satisfaction and fulfillment in their life. 

If you struggle with difficult thoughts, feelings and behaviors, I offer a Rogerian approach while utilizing ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) with existential therapy, Relationship Enhancement (RE)  some Gestalt Therapy and other evidence based methods of healing trauma, relationships or other mental health issues to help you to get out of your head, away from what is not serving you, and getting involved in life and doing what’s most important to you.  

ACT, Gestalt Therapy and Existential Therapy, and RE are very active forms of therapy. My approach is person centered, though I believe that practical skills based learning and application can benefit everyone.  In therapy, you will be learning skills to handle difficult thoughts and feelings more effectively, listen more deeply and express yourself more authentically, while we also address issues like responsibility, meaning, life and death. 

This is our life and I think its about time we enjoyed it! Do you wish there was a way to live with more JOY and a sense of freedom and aliveness and passion? To succumb to fears, guilt, shame, negativity, and endless loops of self-hate and self-neglect, is to suffer. I believe that we can be smart and learn to experience freedom from this negative stuff that keeps zapping our energy and making it harder and harder for us to enjoy life, authentically.

My personal motto is that a life of emotional suffering is NOT good enough! Who says it should be so? I will not stand for it. This is our lives, and we deserve to be here and find meaning and satisfaction. And, this is where counseling comes in.

I want you to leave at the end of each session with a plan of action - something you can do between sessions that will make a positive difference to your life. With me, you will learn a genuine way to care about yourself and stand more in your personal power, while overcoming procrastination.  And then from there, I will continue to offer support and guidance for increasing joy, radical acceptance and responsibility and learning to communicate more effectively with yourself and others. Keep in mind that counseling is a collaborative process that takes time.

I also have over 13 years of experience and study, practicing and coaching in healthy communication styles including Non-violent communication (NVC), and Relationship Enhancement, along with mindfulness, somatic intelligence and life coaching  😊 

Once a month, I co-facilitate a group called Reflect Connect, on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, from 6-8pm at The Source. This group focuses on learning and practicing evidence based skills in effective communication that enhances relationships.  You can find more information about this group on Meetup by searching for the group TogetherSource. 

Insurance and "payment" for different services 

I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Presbyterian and United Health Care for counseling services.  This includes most (but not all) Medicaid plans. 

Self-giving (as opposed to the term self-pay) is also available if you don't have insurance or if you don't have a plan that I am authorized to bill for.  Basically that means you can give money based on the amount that you would ENJOY contributing so that I can continue helping you (and others) while keeping the lights on! 

So even though I request $150 per session, if you dont have health insurance, please give what makes you happy to contribute!  Keep in mind, that if money is very tight, I will see you FOR FREE for brief/short term focused therapy. And remember that you may be eligible for Medicaid if you are struggling financially.