Our Staff
Nikka Peralta, LCSW, Owner
I created Mending Hearts, LLC from my heart in 2016. I have developed a passion for working with people through my own personal experiences and clinical expertise. I am a New Mexico native and am proud to give back to my community by helping others to heal from within. I graduated from New Mexico Highlands University in 2012 with a masters degree in Clinical Social Work. I enjoy working with adolescents, children and families.
Jonathan Allison, LMHC
Jonathan Allison is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). He spent three years (2020-2023) with the Public Safety Psychology Group (PSPG), where he specialized in trauma-informed counseling for the first responder population throughout the state of New Mexico. Jonathan also provided counseling for first responder members’ spouses, children, members as couples, and members' entire family units. Certified in peer support and crisis negotiations, Jonathan served on PSPG’s crisis response team, supporting SWAT calls, providing therapeutic services in critical incident stress debriefings, and taking emergency calls for patients finding themselves in crisis.
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Jonathan received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BBA) in 2018 and his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) from the University of New Mexico in 2021.
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Jonathan has an eclectic approach to counseling, with his main influences being existential psychotherapy, holistic counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based counseling. Jonathan also regularly utilizes humanistic and psychodynamic approaches, the Gottman method, narrative therapy, person-centered counseling, systemic therapy, reality therapy, rational emotive therapy, and constructionist therapy.
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Outside of the office, Jonathan serves on the board for the Albuquerque Lodge of the Chinese American Citizen’s Alliance (CACA) and is the organization’s head lion dance instructor. Jonathan also served in the US Navy Reserves from 2012-2019.
Anndrya Rivera, LMHC, ART-P
Dre is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P) who has always been fascinated by the bridge between creative expression and emotional healing. Her journey began at New Mexico State University, where she studied studio art, psychology, and counseling. She later earned her Master’s in Counseling and Art Therapy from Southwestern College of Santa Fe, where she also received a specialized certificate in Human Sexuality from the New Earth Institute.
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In her practice, Dre provides a warm, inviting space where individuals can feel truly seen and supported. Working with teens, young adults, and adults, Dre takes a compassionate and inclusive therapeutic approach, competently serving a diverse range of cultural backgrounds and the LGBTQIA+ community. She believes that healing is a holistic journey involving the mind, body, and spirit. By blending art therapy with mindfulness, somatic work, and a person-centered approach, she helps clients process their experiences through both conversation and the intuitive power of mixed art mediums.
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When she isn't in the therapy room, you’ll likely find Dre immersed in her own creative world as a painter and printmaker. She loves sharing the spark of creativity with others by teaching art classes to the public. Deeply committed to the idea that art should be for everyone, she also serves as a board member for a non-profit community art studio, working to ensure that equitable art-making remains accessible to all.
Annie Mayfield, LMHC
Annie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC who enjoys working with children and young adults. Annie received her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and her master’s degree from New Mexico Highlands University.
Annie utilizes child centered play therapy techniques with children and person centered therapy along with dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy with adults. Annie has experience working with trauma, anxiety and depression as well as OCD, ADHD and autism.
In her free time, Annie enjoys reading, going to the gym and spending time with her dog.
Audrey Vargas, MSW, LSAA
Audrey Vargas, MSW, LSAA is a dedicated social work professional with a strong passion for supporting individuals and families impacted by substance use, mental health challenges, and life transitions. She currently holds a Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA) credential in the state of New Mexico and recently graduated from New Mexico Highlands University with a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work.
Audrey brings both professional training and lived experience to her work, including 15 years in recovery. This perspective allows her to connect authentically with clients and foster a safe, non-judgmental environment grounded in empathy, respect, and trust.
Her experience includes working with diverse populations, including individuals who are unhoused, those navigating substance use recovery, and families with children who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. Audrey is especially passionate about empowering women, strengthening family systems, and supporting long-term recovery through community-based and strengths-focused approaches.
She has facilitated and participated in groups focused on substance abuse, anger management, mindfulness, and wellness, and is in the process of developing a women’s support group to further expand access to healing spaces in her community.
Audrey is committed to culturally responsive, ethical practice and strives to meet clients where they are while helping them build resilience, stability, and meaningful change in their lives.
Kylie Martinez, Master’s Level Intern
Kylie is a Master’s level intern currently completing her degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University and working toward licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). She is passionate about supporting individuals, adolescents, families, and veterans impacted by trauma, anxiety, and life stressors.
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Kylie’s counseling approach is compassionate, client-centered, and strengths-based, with a strong emphasis on creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space. She values a holistic perspective and recognizes the connection between emotional, physical, and psychological well-being.
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Outside of counseling, Kylie enjoys spending time with her daughter, hiking, and traveling.
Daniel Otero, Master's Level Intern
Daniel Otero is a Master’s level intern working towards his degree in Clinical Social Work at New Mexico Highlands University and working toward licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). He was born and raised in New Mexico.
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His interests include providing services for people who are looking to make behavior changes with substances or other personal endeavors with Motivational Interviewing (MI) and mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP). He integrates somatic therapy and mindfulness techniques, helping clients lessen their reactivity to life stressors, and feel more grounded in their bodies.
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In his free time, he loves reading, spending time with friends and family, and engaging in creative writing.