Supporting Mental Health in Our Community
The Manzanita Counseling Center at the University of New Mexico
For more than 30 years, the Manzanita Counseling Center at the University of New Mexico has served as a vital mental health resource for the Albuquerque community. Operated through the UNM Counselor Education Program, Manzanita provides free, confidential counseling services to individuals, couples, and families who might otherwise face barriers to accessing care.
Today, Manzanita remains the only free counseling clinic in Albuquerque, making it an essential point of access for community members seeking support during difficult times.
Expanding Access to Mental Health Care
Mental health care can be difficult to access due to financial barriers, long waitlists, and limited provider availability. The Manzanita Counseling Center addresses this need by offering no-cost counseling services to members of the community.
Clients come to Manzanita seeking support with concerns such as:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression
- Relationship challenges
- Life transitions
- Family conflict
- Grief and loss
Sessions are 50 minutes long and provide a confidential space where individuals and families can receive compassionate, professional care.
Training the Next Generation of Counselors
In addition to serving the community, Manzanita plays a crucial role in training future mental health professionals. Counseling services are provided by advanced graduate students in the UNM Counselor Education Program who are completing their clinical training during their Practicum experience.
These counselors-in-training work under the close supervision of UNM faculty who are licensed counselors, ensuring high-quality care while preparing students to become ethical and effective clinicians.
As part of the training process, counseling sessions are videotaped for supervision and educational purposes. This allows faculty supervisors to provide meaningful feedback and guidance, strengthening both the counselor’s development and the quality of care provided to clients.
A Bridge Between the University and the Community
The Manzanita Counseling Center represents a meaningful partnership between the University of New Mexico and the Albuquerque community. By combining clinical training with community service, Manzanita helps meet local mental health needs while preparing the next generation of counselors to serve New Mexico and beyond.
How Community Support Makes a Difference
Community support helps ensure that Manzanita can continue providing free counseling services while maintaining a high-quality training environment for counselors-in-training. Donations help sustain and expand resources that directly benefit both clients and student clinicians.
Support from donors can help provide:
- Counseling resources and educational materials for clients
- Training resources for counselors-in-training
- Community outreach and mental health education
- Development of new programs that expand access to care
Your support helps strengthen mental health care access in Albuquerque while investing in the future of the counseling profession.
