Prickly Pear Therapy
Finding Healing and Growth Through Connection. Specialized Therapy for Couples, Individuals, and Children in Rio Rancho.
Build Stronger Relationships
Couples therapy can help you and your partner improve communication, resolve conflict, and build a deeper connection.
Find Your Inner Strength
Individual therapy provides a safe and supportive space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and develop coping strategies.
Help Your Child Thrive
Play therapy offers a creative and engaging way for children to express themselves and develop coping skills.
Growth takes time, but even the toughest cacti bloom.
Maybe life feels dry and unsteady, like you’re struggling to find solid ground. Or perhaps past wounds still linger, making it hard to grow and thrive. You’ve learned to be resilient, but even the strongest roots need care to flourish. Here, in a space of warmth and support, you’ll find the tools to heal, grow, and bloom—at your own pace.
Meet Michelle
Michelle Chavez, LCSW
Michelle Chavez, LCSW, is the heart behind Prickly Pear Therapy. With a compassionate and client-centered approach, she helps individuals navigate life’s challenges using evidence-based therapeutic techniques. Michelle specializes in trauma recovery, anxiety management, and family dynamics, creating a safe space where clients feel heard, supported, and empowered.
With years of experience in mental health care, Michelle believes in tailoring therapy to each person’s unique needs. Whether you’re facing personal struggles, relationship difficulties, or seeking support for your child, she’s dedicated to walking alongside you on your journey toward healing and growth.
Our Therapy Services
Couples Therapy
Relationships take work, and sometimes, communication breaks down. Couples therapy helps partners reconnect, strengthen trust, and navigate challenges together—creating a healthier, more supportive relationship.
Individual Therapy
Life’s challenges can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. Individual therapy provides a safe space to explore your thoughts, heal from past experiences, and build resilience for a more fulfilling future.
Play Therapy
Children express themselves in unique ways, and play therapy provides a safe, creative space for them to process emotions, develop coping skills, and build confidence—all through the language of play.
Why Choose Us
What Sets Us Apart from Competitors
At Prickly Pear Therapy in Rio Rancho, we believe in providing compassionate, personalized, and effective care to help you navigate life’s challenges. As a trusted therapy practice serving Sandoval County and the greater Albuquerque area, our approach is rooted in understanding whatever space you’re in, with a genuine commitment to your well-being and mental health needs specific to our New Mexico community.
Whether you’re seeking support for personal growth, mental health concerns, or life transitions, our services bridge gaps and bring you every step of the way.
Tailored Treatment Plans
- Customized approaches based on your unique needs and goals
- Evidence-based methods for lasting results
- Flexible options to fit with lifestyles
Experienced Professionals
- Licensed experts with years of clinical experience
- Ongoing education to stay current in best practices
- A commitment to ongoing learning and best practices
Safe & Supportive Environment
- A welcoming space where you feel heard and valued
- Culturally-competent and judgement-free for all
- Privacy and confidentiality you can trust
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
Take the first step toward growth and healing in a safe, supportive environment where you’ll be heard, understood, and guided with compassion.