Manzanita Counseling Center to double capacity with new funding

The Manzanita Counseling Center at the University of New Mexico will double its physical capacity by expanding from three counseling rooms to six. The renovation is funded by a gift from Dorothy Wooldridge Gram, a UNM Counselor Education alumna who died in 2024. The expansion aims to reduce scheduling bottlenecks that currently limit the number of graduate students who can complete their clinical practicums.

The center has served the Albuquerque community for more than three decades by providing no-cost counseling to individuals, couples, and families. It also functions as a training ground for students in the university's Counselor Education program. Ashley Martin-Cuellar, the clinic director, stated that the facility serves as a direct entry point for people who lack insurance or face financial hardship. Her team receives referrals from hospitals, community agencies, and other providers who cannot accommodate clients seeking free services.

The clinic offers short-term support for issues including anxiety, grief, relationship difficulties, and trauma. Martin-Cuellar noted that the center often acts as an initial point of contact before referring clients to longer-term care. She emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity, stating, "I never want anyone to feel like they're too much for us." This approach helps clients navigate the complex process of finding appropriate ongoing treatment.

The expansion includes a more private interior waiting area to provide greater discretion for arriving clients. New counseling rooms will be equipped with observation and recording technology. This setup allows faculty, licensed counselors, and doctoral students to monitor sessions and provide real-time guidance. Dean Kristopher M. Goodrich said these authentic clinical experiences are often what students remember most about their education. He noted that working directly with clients and receiving intentional supervision reinforces why students chose the profession.

The building housing the clinic has a history of adaptation. Sarah Valles, an academic operations officer for the College of Education & Human Sciences, first worked there in August 1999. At that time, the space shared walls with an early childhood education program. After the early learning program relocated, the interior was stripped down to the four outer walls and central beams. The space was then completely redesigned to create dedicated counseling rooms and observation areas.

Gram’s connection to the university began in 1963 when she earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. She spent nearly a decade teaching in Los Angeles before moving to New Mexico for a master's degree in counseling. She later worked as a counselor consultant for Albuquerque Public Schools and as a marriage and family therapist in California. Her work included recognition for contributions to teen suicide prevention.

Gram addressed UNM graduates in May 2023, urging them to determine their special gift and give it to others. She shared a childhood memory of a teacher telling her, "Dorothy, you are made of good material." Her legacy continues through the Dorothy Gram Counselor Education Scholarship Fund, which supports the program. Martin-Cuellar plans to use the additional space to deepen relationships with community organizations and strengthen pathways to longer-term services.