Brandy Castillo, MS, MSW, LCSW-S, created her behavioral health company in 2013 when she was starting a family and looking for a way to build a home-based practice. Clients were seen at her home on an old farm just outside of the City of Belen in Valencia County, New Mexico.

In 2018, the business name was officially changed to Hearth & Soul of New Mexico when Brandy’s husband Ignacio became co-owner and billing manager after retiring from the New Mexico Department of Corrections.

The business, which is rooted in compassion, expanded to offer services in Mesilla and Albuquerque. Heart & Soul aims to foster a supportive environment that encourages growth, self-discovery, and the realization of one’s fullest potential. Its 35 healthcare providers and staff specialize in a wide range of behavioral health services, including therapy and psychiatry to treat depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma, and more. It does this through individual and group therapy, psychiatry, and enhanced case management.

In January 2024, Brandy went to The Loan Fund for financial help to purchase a building in downtown Belen, where she could serve more clients from a central location.

The Loan Fund is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that offers loans, lines of credit, and consulting to businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. It finances operating expenses, purchases of inventory, equipment, commercial real estate and renovations, and a range of expenses needed to help a business grow.

The Castillos are pleased they learned about The Loan Fund, and they praised their loan officer David Hicks.

“David was knowledgeable, caring, and responsive to our needs and believed in our vision,” said Brandy. “No one ever said purchasing a commercial property was easy, but The Loan Fund made it as easy and stress-free as you can get.”

The Castillos now have plans to open an Intensive Outpatient Program at the Belen office this summer. The service will allow the treatment of those suffering from substance use and mental health issues. With this new group therapy service, Heart and Soul will also expand its team of providers.

“This would not be possible without the Loan Fund,” said Brandy. “With their help, we will be able to touch the lives of many in Valencia County.”

Learn more about the behavioral health services offered by Heart & Soul of New Mexico. For more about loans offered by The Loan Fund, visit LoanFund.org.

Original article courtesy of The Loan Fund. Edited using information obtained from Heart & Soul of New Mexico website.