Cottonwood Counseling, LLC

Cottonwood Counseling, LLC Counseling for adults, children, adolescents, and families. We help PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and grief.

Modalities: Telehealth, EMDR, Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, CBT, & MST. Spanish speaking therapists available.

Another incredible conference from the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico! We are proud to be a part of this i...
08/14/2026

Another incredible conference from the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico! We are proud to be a part of this incredible program.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, you can get free problem gambling counseling through the RGANM.

Reach out to Cottonwood Counseling or call the gambling help line learn more!
Cottonwood Counseling: 505-226-2839
Gambling Help Line: 888-696-2440

Some people seem naturally calm under pressure, while others feel emotions intensely and struggle to know what to do wit...
08/14/2026

Some people seem naturally calm under pressure, while others feel emotions intensely and struggle to know what to do with them.

Emotional regulation is not something everyone is automatically taught. Many people grow up without learning how to identify emotions, express needs, or move through difficult feelings in healthy ways.

When emotions feel overwhelming, people may shut down, lash out, withdraw, over-explain, become busy to avoid feelings, or try to push everything away.

These responses often make sense when we understand someone’s experiences and the ways their nervous system learned to cope.

Therapy can help you build emotional regulation skills without shame or judgment. You are not expected to already know how to handle everything, you can learn.

Boundaries are not about controlling other people, punishing someone, or creating distance from the people you care abou...
08/12/2026

Boundaries are not about controlling other people, punishing someone, or creating distance from the people you care about.

A boundary is a way of communicating what you need in order to stay connected to yourself while building healthier relationships with others.

For many people, especially those who learned to keep the peace or put everyone else’s needs first, setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable at first.

That discomfort does not always mean you are doing something wrong.

Healthy boundaries create space for honesty, respect, and stronger connections. They allow relationships to become clearer because everyone has a better understanding of what is needed to feel safe and valued.

Trauma is not only something we think about. It can also show up through the body.Tension, feeling constantly on guard, ...
08/10/2026

Trauma is not only something we think about. It can also show up through the body.

Tension, feeling constantly on guard, difficulty sleeping, feeling easily startled, stomach discomfort, shutting down, or feeling disconnected can all be ways the nervous system responds after difficult experiences.

These reactions are not signs that you are broken.

They are signs that your body learned how to protect you during times when you needed protection.

Healing often involves more than understanding what happened. It also involves helping your body experience safety again, building trust with yourself, and learning that the present is different from the past.

Trauma-informed therapy approaches healing with patience, compassion, and respect for your individual experience.

Depression is not laziness, weakness, or a lack of gratitude.It can affect energy, sleep, appetite, concentration, motiv...
08/07/2026

Depression is not laziness, weakness, or a lack of gratitude.

It can affect energy, sleep, appetite, concentration, motivation, and the ability to experience joy. This is why everyday tasks that seem simple from the outside can feel incredibly difficult when someone is struggling.

For some people, depression looks like crying, withdrawing, or feeling hopeless. For others, it may look like continuing to work, care for others, and complete responsibilities while feeling disconnected or exhausted inside.

Depression does not always look the way people expect.

If you are struggling, support is available. You do not have to wait until things become unbearable before reaching out for help.

Healing from trauma is rarely a straight path.There may be moments when old emotions, memories, or reactions return afte...
08/05/2026

Healing from trauma is rarely a straight path.

There may be moments when old emotions, memories, or reactions return after a period of progress, and it can feel discouraging when that happens. But returning to a familiar response does not mean you are starting over.

Trauma-informed care recognizes that safety, trust, choice, and collaboration are important parts of healing. Your experiences matter, and your healing process deserves patience and respect.

Progress is not always about never struggling again. Sometimes progress looks like understanding yourself more deeply, responding with more compassion, and learning that you are safe in the present moment.

When sleep is disrupted, emotions can feel harder to manage, stress can feel heavier, and everyday challenges can become...
08/03/2026

When sleep is disrupted, emotions can feel harder to manage, stress can feel heavier, and everyday challenges can become more difficult to navigate.

Sleep struggles are common during times of anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and prolonged stress. Rest is not just about feeling less tired—it plays an important role in emotional regulation, focus, and overall well-being.

For some people, rest does not feel easy. When the nervous system has learned to stay alert, slowing down can feel uncomfortable or even unsafe.

Support can help you understand what may be getting in the way of rest and develop healthier patterns that support recovery.

If you or someone you love is ready for support, Cottonwood Counseling is here for you. Call (505) 226-2839.

It is very common to feel unsure about psychiatric medication. Many people wonder if medication will change who they are...
07/31/2026

It is very common to feel unsure about psychiatric medication. Many people wonder if medication will change who they are, whether they will have side effects, how long it might take to work, or whether needing medication means they have failed somehow.

None of those questions are wrong. In fact, they are important questions.

Good medication management should include education, careful listening, follow-up, and respect for your preferences. It should also look at more than symptoms alone. Sleep, stress, trauma history, medical concerns, family history, substance use, and current life circumstances can all matter when building a treatment plan.

The Mayo Clinic and NIMH both emphasize that medication decisions are most helpful when they are made with a qualified provider who can explain options, risks, benefits, and what to expect over time.

Medication is not a moral issue. It is a health care conversation.

Many people feel nervous before a medication management appointment, especially if they have had past experiences where ...
07/29/2026

Many people feel nervous before a medication management appointment, especially if they have had past experiences where they felt unheard. Some worry they will be judged for wanting medication. Others worry they will be judged for not wanting medication.

A respectful appointment should make room for both.

Medication management can be helpful for anxiety, depression, mood symptoms, sleep problems, and trauma-related distress, but the decision should be thoughtful. Your provider should listen to what you are experiencing, explain options in plain language, and help you understand what to watch for over time.

The FDA and NIMH both emphasize the importance of understanding medication instructions, side effects, and communication with prescribers. You deserve that level of care.

If you are used to being the strong one, burnout can feel confusing. You may wonder why you cannot keep pushing like you...
07/27/2026

If you are used to being the strong one, burnout can feel confusing. You may wonder why you cannot keep pushing like you used to, or why small tasks suddenly feel heavier than they should.

But people are not built to run on stress forever.

Burnout often builds slowly. It can come from months or years of over-functioning, caregiving, perfectionism, workplace stress, trauma responses, or feeling like everything will fall apart if you stop. The body and mind eventually start asking for change, even when life does not make that change easy.

Mental health counseling can help with stress management, boundaries, self-compassion, and understanding why slowing down feels so hard. Recovery is not just about taking a break. It is about learning what made life unsustainable in the first place.

If you or someone you love is ready for support, Cottonwood Counseling is here for you. Call (505) 226-2839.

Address

Albuquerque, NM

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+15052262839

Website

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