Vanessa Torres McGovern, MA, LPCC

My name is Vanessa Torres McGovern and I am a Teacher, Therapist, Artist, Facilitator and Parent living here in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I am excited to support you in exploring the unique passion and vision that brought you to Southwestern College and to the field of Counseling. What strengths and perspectives do you bring? What questions stir your soul? What longings lead you to this context to learn together?

As a queer identified, non-binary human—I am deeply invested in exploring the ways that story can shape learning, and our sense of self. The stories that shape us, become important lenses through which we see the world and ourselves. To this end, creating a space for shared learning requires building trust, deep listening and practicing shared vulnerability. I am always looking to expand my learning and growth, whether I am supporting my child in finding the language to express their feelings, supporting a client in regulating their nervous system, or exploring a new modality or creative process. Having grown up between two cultures, Spain and the United States, I speak both Spanish and English and bring an understanding of what it means to live between cultures. I believe in the power to heal and to learn through compassionate witness, emotional expression, and creative process.

I am an independently licensed therapist with experience working with a variety of issues, including grief and loss, anxiety, depression, gender affirming exploration, trauma, and important life transitions. I am passionate about supporting learning and healing in a wide range of contexts including the classroom, in circle, the dinner table, my office, in the woods or while writing and performing original music.

I received my B.A. from Mount Holyoke College, and my Masters in Counseling from Southwestern College, with a certificate in Grief, Trauma, and Loss. I completed my internship at Solace Crisis Treatment Center and in my work supporting young people in grief and loss through Gerard’s House. I’ve worked as an outpatient counselor at the Santa Fe Recovery Center supporting individuals recovering from addiction and leading Spanish language recovery and grief groups. I am on faculty at the Academy for the love of Learning and have facilitated numerous groups focused on story and creative process with youth and elders alike. I’ve spent 15 years cultivating original pieces of music that reflect meaningful stories in her work with individuals and groups.

I’ve completed trainings in EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Treatment, Motivational Interviewing and Sand Tray Therapy, as well as supplemental training in inner child work, as well as polyvagal theory and practices.