Clarissa Rudolph- Hastings
Licensed mental health professional, school counselor, teacher, and author with 25+ years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults through evidence-based therapeutic practices. Currently serving as a High School Counselor with Albuquerque Public Schools, at Nex+Gen Academy High School, and providing part-time therapy services at Restoration Counseling and Consulting Services. Skilled in Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Family Therapy, and Social-Emotional Learning, with a strong focus on grief, coping skills, conflict resolution, and overall mental wellness. As an author, I have published inspirational works including Letters From My Mom, Long Since Gone and The Healing Basket, using storytelling to explore healing, resilience, and faith-based growth. I integrate creativity, empathy, and individualized approaches into counseling to empower clients to navigate challenges, develop coping strategies, and achieve meaningful personal growth.
• Therapist
• School Counselor
• Math and Science Teacher
• Author
• Master of Arts
• Bachelor of Science
• Nominated Golden Apple Teacher of the Year
• Nominated National Biology Teacher of the Year
• Nominated School Counselor of the Year (7 years)
• President of Alpha Delta Kappa
• Author Elite Award, Top 10 Finalist, for The Healing Basket
• Top 10 National Finalist for Mother's Day Story, Rembrandt Jewelry
• International Praxis Magazine Essay published, Written in the Stars
• American School Counselor Association
• New Mexico School Counselor Association
• Alpha Delta Kappa
• Locker 505 Student's Clothing Bank
• ALS Donation and Walk-A-Thon
• Alzheimer's Association
• APS McKinney-Vento
• Title I Homeless
• Saranam
• The Ranches
• New Mexico Children's Grief Center
• Special Olympics
• Cancer Walk-A-Thon
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God, who has taught me how to be. I also attribute my success to my mom and dad, who instilled hard work, perseverance, and believing I could build a career while also raising a family. They demonstrated this when they opened a family business. We all contributed to its success, working collaboratively.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was when I cannot influence change in a macro-system, I work on making healthy changes in a micro-system.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Remember to work on yourself because the first relationship you have is with yourself. It takes a lifetime to build that relationship. It also takes a lifetime to build relationships with others. We cannot give when our vessels are empty. Keep yours filled with healthy life experiences.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I am a first generation college graduate. I am also a woman who happens to be Latina. Only 6% of therapists are Latina, and only 2% of authors are Latina. The biggest challenge is being among the few. The greatest opportunity is for other Latinas to become therapists.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is most important to me in my personal life. I have been married for 38 years and I have known my husband for 43 years. He has terminal cancer, and we make beautiful memories together. We have raised two amazing daughters who we love and we have been blessed with two sweet little granddaughters who call me grandma honey. At work, I consider my school community a second family. As a therapist, I strive to use my life experiences to help people heal and grow.
