Vista Listens
A Safe Space for Caregivers, Families, and Individuals
Navigating aging, dementia, caregiving, or loss can be overwhelming, but support is here when you need it. Vista Listens offers a safe, compassionate space for those facing life’s toughest transitions. Whether you’re a family caregiver, spouse, or individual seeking help, our experienced counselors provide one-on-one and group therapy to help you heal, find balance, and move forward with confidence.
With 25 years of experience, we specialize in supporting families impacted by dementia, caregiving burnout, and life changes—listening with compassion and understanding because your journey matters.
About Vista Listens
Vista Listens is the Counseling Division of Vista Living Care, built on the same family-centered values that have guided our approach to memory care and elder support for over two decades. We provide individual, couples, family, and group therapy to help those affected by aging, dementia, grief, and major life transitions.
Whether you’re a caregiver feeling overwhelmed, a spouse trying to reconnect, or a family navigating change, we offer a compassionate space where healing begins. Sessions are available in person or via Zoom, ensuring flexible support when you need it most.
Grief & Loss
Anxiety & PTSD
Depression Support
Mindfulness & Emotional Well-Being
Disordered Eating & Body Image
Chronic Illness & Caregiver Support
Support for Non-Verbal Individuals & Their Caregivers
Dementia & Age-Related Care
Burnout Prevention for Caregivers & Professionals
How Vista Listens Can Help
We provide therapy and support tailored to the unique challenges of caregivers, individuals with dementia, and those navigating life transitions. Whether you’re struggling with burnout, grief, or major changes, we are here to help.
Initial Consultation
Your journey begins with a free initial consultation, where we discuss your needs, concerns, and goals for therapy. Whether you’re seeking caregiver support, dementia counseling, stress management, or guidance through major life transitions, this conversation allows us to understand your situation and create a personalized plan for emotional and mental well-being.
Personalized Plan
Based on your unique situation, we develop a customized therapy plan designed to provide the right level of care. Whether you need individual therapy, family counseling, grief support, or specialized dementia care strategies, our experienced therapists focus on caregiver resilience, emotional health, and mental well-being. Our goal is to offer practical solutions and emotional support tailored to your journey.
Flexible Scheduling & Sessions
We understand that caregiving, aging, and personal challenges require flexibility, which is why we offer both in-person and virtual therapy sessions. Whether you need weekly counseling, occasional check-ins, or ongoing dementia support, our scheduling options make it easy to access professional mental health and caregiving guidance at a time that works best for you.
Continued Guidance & Support
Therapy is an ongoing process, and we are here to support you at every stage. Whether you’re facing long-term caregiving challenges, burnout prevention, life transitions, or coping with grief, Vista Listens provides a compassionate and expert-led space for healing, emotional growth, and resilience. We adjust your care plan as needed to ensure you always have the mental health and caregiving support you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Support for Caregivers & Families
Who is Vista Listens for?
Vista Listens is for family caregivers, spouses, and loved ones who are supporting an aging adult, someone with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or chronic illness, or those navigating major life transitions. If you’re feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained, our therapy services provide guidance, emotional support, and practical coping strategies to help you manage caregiving challenges while maintaining your own well-being.
What support do you offer for caregivers?
We offer individual and group therapy for caregivers struggling with burnout, stress, grief, and the emotional toll of long-term caregiving. Our sessions help you process emotions, set boundaries, practice self-care, and navigate difficult decisions related to your loved one’s care. We also provide counseling for family dynamics, communication strategies, and guidance for end-of-life transitions.
How do I know if I need therapy as a caregiver?
Caregiving can be emotionally and physically exhausting. If you’re experiencing constant stress, anxiety, feelings of guilt, exhaustion, or difficulty balancing caregiving with your own life, therapy can help. Many caregivers feel they must do everything alone, but seeking support and guidance can make a significant difference in your well-being and ability to provide care.
Can therapy help with caregiver guilt and burnout?
Yes! Caregiver guilt, stress, and burnout are common, and therapy provides a safe space to process emotions, release guilt, and build healthier coping mechanisms. We help caregivers develop self-care strategies, emotional resilience, and techniques to manage difficult situations without feeling overwhelmed.
How do I schedule a session?
Scheduling is simple. Call us at (505) 477-1138 or send a message through our contact form. We’ll help you find the best time and session type for your specific needs, whether it’s one-on-one therapy, family counseling, or a support group for caregivers.
About Vista Listens
Who is Vista Listens for?
Vista Listens provides therapy and emotional support for caregivers, aging adults, and individuals facing dementia, Alzheimer’s, grief, or major life transitions. Whether you’re a family member navigating caregiving challenges, an elder coping with aging-related changes, or someone processing loss, our compassionate therapists offer individual, family, and group counseling tailored to your needs. With over 25 years of hands-on experience, we are dedicated to helping you find clarity, balance, and emotional well-being through life’s most difficult moments.
What makes Vista Listens different from other counseling services?
Vista Listens specializes in aging, dementia support, caregiver burnout, and emotional well-being, unlike traditional therapy services. Our therapists have deep experience in dementia care, grief support, and life transitions, making us uniquely equipped to provide practical and emotional guidance for individuals and families navigating these challenges.
What therapy methods do you use?
We use a combination of talk therapy, art therapy, mindfulness, cognitive support strategies, and stress-reduction techniques. Each session is tailored to the individual’s needs, whether it’s processing emotions, navigating a dementia diagnosis, or supporting caregivers in setting healthy boundaries.
Where is Vista Listens located?
Vista Listens provides in-person therapy sessions in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and virtual counseling via Zoom for those who prefer remote sessions. This allows us to serve families and caregivers across different locations while ensuring flexible, accessible support.
What are the benefits of therapy at Vista Listens?
Therapy can help with caregiver stress, grief, anxiety, depression, and the emotional impact of dementia or chronic illness. Our sessions focus on healing, self-care, emotional resilience, and practical strategies to help you feel more balanced and supported in your journey.
Do you offer support groups?
Yes! We provide support groups for caregivers, individuals facing memory loss, and families navigating aging-related challenges. These groups offer a safe, judgment-free space to share experiences, connect with others, and receive expert guidance.
How do I schedule a session?
Getting started is easy. You can call us at (505) 477-1138 or send a message through our contact form. We’ll help you determine the best therapy option, whether it’s one-on-one counseling, family therapy, or a caregiver support group.
Meet Our Counselors
Ruth Dennis | ATR, MFA, MAAT, LMHC, LPCC
Ruth Dennis is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, therapist, and author with over 30,000 hours of hands-on experience supporting individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s, developmental disabilities, and major life transitions. She specializes in dementia care counseling, helping individuals and families navigate the emotional and practical challenges of a dementia diagnosis.
Ruth’s therapeutic approach is grounded in art therapy, mindfulness, and personalized mental health support. She has developed innovative therapeutic activities to foster emotional well-being, self-expression, and resilience. Her work is widely respected in the field, making her a trusted figure in elder care and caregiver support.
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute and advanced degrees in Ceramics and Art Therapy, Ruth brings a unique, creative approach to counseling. She offers individual, couples, and family therapy, as well as online and in-person sessions tailored to each client’s journey.
Why Choose Vista Listens?
At Vista Listens, we understand that navigating aging, caregiving, dementia, and life transitions can be overwhelming. That’s why we offer specialized therapy designed for caregivers, elders, and families who need compassionate support and expert guidance.
Our therapists bring decades of experience in mental health, caregiver burnout prevention, grief support, and dementia-specific counseling. Whether you need one-on-one therapy, family counseling, or group support, we provide a safe and understanding space where healing begins.
With in-person and virtual therapy and counseling options, Vista Listens ensures that emotional and mental health support is accessible, flexible, and tailored to your needs.
Monica Romero | Licensed Master Social Worker
Monica Romero is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with extensive experience in mental health, trauma support, caregiver counseling, and family therapy. She works with children, teens, adults, and elders, offering a compassionate, client-centered approach that integrates mindfulness, evidence-based therapy, and emotional support.
Monica has helped individuals struggling with anxiety, PTSD, body image issues, dementia-related grief, and trauma. Her expertise allows her to create safe and supportive spaces where clients can heal, grow, and regain confidence.
A proud native of New Mexico, Monica earned her degree from New Mexico Highlands University. She is passionate about empowering individuals and families through non-judgmental therapy that fosters self-discovery, resilience, and healing. Her services include individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and online/telehealth counseling.