Success Stories
Healing Trauma, Building Community
Cottonwood Counseling offers evidence-based therapies such as EMDR, CBT, Play Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy, and hosts an LGBTQIA+ Teen Support Group. Their mission is to combine expertise and heart to nurture healing for people of all ages across the community.
The founder’s journey began in an unexpected place, engineering. After years of working as a Satellite Engineer, Mission Planner, and with NASA, she realized she wanted a more meaningful path. As a suicide loss survivor, author, and therapist, she felt called to create a safe space where people could find encouragement and hope.
After seven years in private practice, she saw the growing need for mental health care in Albuquerque and expanded into a group practice. Today, Cottonwood Counseling has two locations, on Albuquerque’s Westside and Eastside, and has proudly served the community for six years.
One milestone that stands out is the creation of an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for LGBTQ+ teens, providing affirming support and resources for young people navigating unique challenges. Another is cultivating a supportive environment where new clinicians can grow into strong, compassionate professionals.
When Cottonwood Counseling first opened, a friend suggested connecting with the City of Albuquerque’s Small Business Office (SBO). That advice, the founder says, “turned out to be some of the best I received starting out.”
Through SBO, she accessed courses, business education, and resources that bridged the gap between clinical expertise and business ownership. During COVID, SBO guidance helped secure a Small Business Loan that kept the practice afloat, even while paying for an empty office. Later, as sick leave laws changed, SBO workshops provided the tools to adapt and remain compliant. “The education and practical support I received made a huge difference,” she said.
Thanks in part to SBO resources, Cottonwood Counseling has grown steadily, opening a second location and expanding its services. The founder notes that her training was in engineering and counseling, not business. “Using the resources available, I was able to bridge that gap and grow.”
Her proudest success? Watching Cottonwood Counseling expand its reach in the community and knowing the services provided are making a real difference for children, families, and individuals seeking healing.
Cottonwood Counseling’s future is bright. Plans include further expansion and continuing to mentor and develop new clinicians so more mental health services are available in Albuquerque. The founder is confident the Small Business Office will remain a valuable partner: “They can continue to support us by providing updated education, resources, and guidance as laws and business practices evolve.”
“I am truly grateful to the Small Business Office for the support and education I’ve received over the years. Their resources have been invaluable in helping me grow as a business owner.”
Connect with Cottonwood Counseling
Westside: 6330 Riverside Plaza LN NW, STE 260, Albuquerque, NM 87120
Eastside: 4300 San Mateo Blvd NE, STE B-186, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Phone: 505-226-2839
Website: cottonwood-counseling.com