About
Our Story: Christian Counseling in Albuquerque
Salt & Light Christian Counseling was established by Pastor Sarah Ho, who has a passion for helping people restore their mental and behavior health through individual, family, and Christian couples counseling according to the word of God. Educated in a variety of professional modalities and techniques that have proven track records of success, Salt & Light Christian Counseling works individually with each of our clients to develop unique and specific treatment plans to maximize the impact of our therapy sessions. We can also work closely with a client’s treatment team to provide a well-rounded support system.
Salt & Light Christian Counseling focuses on mental health restoration through the combination of treatment modalities, Christian faith-based focused sessions, and a desire to bring unity back into your identified family.
What Sets Salt & Light Apart

Helping You Become the Best Version of Yourself
We work with people just like you every single day – regular people that struggle with regular daily problems. The real myth is that counseling is for those that have serious mental issues. Strength is found when we realize that we all need help to become the best version of ourselves, how God designed us.
The truth is that everyone is dealing with difficult and stressful situations every day, and we all need support to learn how to ultimate overcome our instinctive reactions and become better people.
A Safe Place to Talk
Whether you identify as a Christian or not, we’re here to help in a non-judgmental way. You may recognize the value of introducing Biblical values into the therapy process, and we’re here to go deeper with you in your faith. Our providers are trained counselors that are highly specialized at integrating faith into the counseling process, at the request of the client, in addition to traditionally proven therapy techniques.
Our counselors are specifically trained to work with people of all walks of life and faith to help sort out issues that they face, which may include personal abuse, family trauma, church hurt, or just difficulty processing emotions. We’re here to create a safe space to work through these issues on your journey to better mental health.


Personalized, Flexible Care
Because we’re a small practice, the number of clients that we regularly help remains limited and focused. We individually tailor treatment to each client so that sessions have maximum impact. Being small also allows us a more direct contact with our clients, which can feel more personal and relaxed.
Best of all, we work with our clients on their schedules. If we’re unable to accommodate in-person sessions, our secure online portal offers a flexible way to have life video sessions that provide a very similar treatment experience.
Our Christian Counselors

Sarah Ho
LPCC
Specializing in Christian-based therapy, marriage counseling, and behavioral health in Albuquerque, Sarah graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Master’s of Science for Professional Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, located in the greater Albuquerque area. She developed many of her skills while working in a residential treatment center. Sarah is certified in trauma, specializes in defiant behaviors, Christian couples counseling, and family therapy. In addition, she is also an ordained minister who can offer Biblical counseling.
She has been trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused – Cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), Internal Family System (IFS), Functional Family Therapy (FFT), the Gottman Institute Approach, MATRIX, and Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA).
Using the above modalities, Sarah’s clientele diagnoses often covered are Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Autisum, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, Bipolar, Narcassistic Personality Disorder, and Disruptive Mood Disregulation Disorder, as a Solution-Focused Therapist.

Angelica Rios
MSW Counselor
Serving Albuquerque’s families through bilingual Christian counseling, Angelica Rios is a devoted advocate for children’s mental health and serves as a Case Manager at UNMH Children’s Psychiatric Hospital. With more than 26 years of experience in the healthcare field, she has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families through complex emotional and behavioral challenges. Her work is driven by a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families.
A proud Hispanic woman born and raised in Albuquerque’s South Valley, Angelica carries the values of her community—resilience, unity, and cultural pride—into every aspect of her work. As a bilingual professional, she bridges cultural and language gaps, fostering trust and understanding with the diverse families she serves.
Angelica holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Management and Health Informatics from Colorado Technical University. She is a master‑level counselor working toward full licensure, bringing advanced clinical training and a compassionate approach to her work. She serves children, adolescents, teens, adults, and families, offering individualized support tailored to their unique needs.
In her clinical practice, she integrates a wide range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, trauma‑informed care, mindfulness‑based practices, grounding techniques, strengths‑based approaches, and solution‑focused strategies. These approaches help clients regulate emotions, build coping skills, and feel more centered and grounded throughout their healing journey.
Angelica’s Christian faith is a central part of who she is and how she serves. As a Christian counselor, she incorporates faith‑guided compassion, spiritual encouragement, and a hope‑centered perspective for clients who desire it. Her faith strengthens her commitment to walking alongside individuals and families with empathy, humility, and unwavering support.
Her journey reflects a lifelong dedication to service, grounded in empathy, cultural pride, spiritual strength, and a belief that every individual deserves healing, hope, and the opportunity to build a brighter future.

Tela Avila
MHC Counselor
Passionate about relationship restoration, Tela provides Christ-centered counseling for individuals, couples, and families in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tela is an empathetic. Biblically-focused, counselor who assists clients as they pursue healing, growth, and restoration.
She is completing the hours required for state licensure as a Mental Health Counselor with a Master’s from the University of the Southwest.
Tela has a heart for helping those who are struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, and life’s challenges by integrating evidence-based practices with their Biblical values.
She has experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and person-centered therapy, while also honoring each client’s spiritual journey and relationship with God. She works with individuals of all ages—from children to adults—as well as couples and groups.
Tela believes that true healing addresses the whole person, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. She strives to create a safe, grace-filled environment where clients feel seen, supported, and encouraged to live a restored God-honoring life.
Tela’s approach is personalized and client-centered, recognizing that each person’s story is unique. She seeks to help clients find hope, purpose, and practical tools for change, all while feeling welcomed and motivated—not burdened—in the counseling process.

Jonathan Gregg
MHC Counselor
Specializing in a direct, Socratic approach to Christian counseling, Jonathan provides a high-accountability environment for men, professionals, and individuals seeking an objective, faith-based perspective on addiction, recovery, and life’s transitions in Albuquerque.
Jonathan is a seasoned professional with a passion for helping clients build resilience and reclaim their personal agency. He draws primarily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a deep understanding of Stoic philosophy—not as a replacement for faith, but as a practical framework for exercising the Biblical “sound mind.” By distinguishing between what one can and cannot control, he equips his clients with the mental clarity to navigate high-stakes environments and complex personal struggles with integrity and grit.
Before pursuing clinical mental health, Jonathan spent over a decade as a corporate executive and professional coach. He understands that for many—especially those who prefer a logical, results-oriented dialogue—traditional counseling can potenitally feel too “passive”. His Socratic approach is designed to uncover truth and drive meaningful, lasting change for anyone ready to put in the work.
Jonathan holds an undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico and an MBA from the University of Michigan, and is currently completing his M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of the Southwest. As a male Christian counselor in Albuquerque specializing in addiction and professional resilience, he is committed to integrating rigorous clinical practice with a firm Biblical foundation. Serving the Taylor Ranch and Westside community, Jonathan helps clients of all backgrounds align their daily habits with their Christian values.

Teegan Machemehl
MHC Counselor

Audrey Tolth
MSW Counselor
Audrey provides support to
individuals navigating a range of emotional and mental health challenges. She is passionate about creating a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental space where clients feel heard, valued, and
empowered. Audrey strives to integrate faith into the counseling process in a way that honors each
client’s beliefs, supporting healing, hope, and restoration.
She is a dedicated social work professional with experience in care coordination, case
management, and behavioral health services. She has a strong commitment to serving diverse and vulnerable populations through a compassionate, client-centered approach. Her work is guided by both professional ethics and a desire to reflect Christ’s love through service, empathy, and advocacy. Audrey brings skills in conflict resolution, discharge planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and connecting clients with community resources to promote stability and overall well-being.
Audrey seeks to support clients in building resilience and finding strength through both evidence-based practices and faith, when appropriate.
Her goal is to foster meaningful therapeutic relationships that encourage growth, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.
