Looking to fulfill the mental and physical health needs of Southern New Mexicans, Annette Mirabal and Laura Pàez-Bruggemann created 4 Directions Integrative Mental Health LLC in Las Cruces in 2020.
The pair met at New Mexico State University and later worked as social workers before coming together to create a business that included integrative medicine. The two felt that this practice was missing in mental health care in the area.
Both also had experiences in their personal lives where the integration of nutrition, diet, and lifestyle in mental health services had put family members on the road to faster healing, something traditional mental health practices did not provide.
“Taking a holistic approach to mental health, mind, body and spirit, these three components, including integrating a person’s cultural and spiritual belief systems, all contribute to a person’s wellbeing,” Mirabal said, adding that herbal medicine is also incorporated when treating a client.
4 Directions has three full-time employees and six contractors who offer individual, couples, group and family counseling, in addition to addiction and recovery therapy, among other services.
The pair found The Loan Fund after connecting with a Small Business Development Center counselor who made the recommendation. The two said Juan Albert, The Loan Fund’s previous Technical Assistance Provider in Southern New Mexico, provided a lot of guidance to help them navigate some of the challenges when opening a business.
Pàez-Bruggemann said utilizing these community resources were incredibly helpful in developing their business plan and providing company structure.
“We are sincerely honored to provide these services to the community. We see the need is there,” she said. “Mostly, we are happy to provide a service that strengthens the community we live in. It is really an honor.”