Albuquerque Team

FOUNDER & CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Lucia (she/they) is the founder and Clinical Director of Trail Ahead Therapy. Lucia is a queer-identified provider whose primary focus in therapy is to create a safe space where you can find a holistic sense of healing and wellbeing. Lucia thinks of the therapeutic relationship as a partnership and founded Trail Ahead Therapy to create a trauma-informed, compassionate, and welcoming environment for all.

Lucia has been in private practice in New Mexico since 2018 and is a graduate of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at UT Austin. Lucia’s primary goal of creating Trail Ahead was to establish a safe space that provides inclusive and quality psychotherapy with a group of clinicians that honors diversity, ethics and progressive practice. She has extensive experience working with trauma survivors, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and couples. Lucia has received advanced training in trauma therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Health at Every Size (HAES), the Gottman Method of couples counseling, attachment theory, and Motivational Interviewing.

COUNSELING INTERN

Sarah (she/her) is a queer counseling intern and somatic practitioner. Her approach is relational, collaborative, and experiential. She helps her clients build somatic literacy and cultivate an embodied experience of safety, dignity, and belonging. She’s trauma-informed, attentive to power dynamics, and deeply committed to supporting her client’s agency.

She integrates attachment, narrative, existential, and liberation theories and IFS-inspired parts work. She applies a critical lens to her practice. She considers her client’s social location and the impact of dominant culture on their wellbeing. She finds it particularly meaningful to support people as they navigate exploring identity, life transitions, grief, anxiety, depression, recovery from high-demand groups, and grappling with the existential questions of life and our times.

Sarah is a student at Prescott College. She’s completing a concentration in Marriage and Family Counseling to better support people in relationships of all kinds. She’ll graduate summer 2025. She has a background in conflict transformation, mediation, restorative justice, Kingian nonviolence, and mindfulness. Her love of dance and connection to wild spaces deeply shape her approach to therapy.

COUNSELING INTERN

Farleigh (she/her) is a queer-identified provider. She is grateful to be an active and supportive participant in the therapeutic process. She cares about creating a place of safety for those who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety and more. Receiving a BS in both, Psychology and Nutrition, she has learned foundations of health and wellness. Farleigh has trained in crisis interventions, Motivational Interviewing, and Nurtured Heart Approach. Projected to graduate with a MA in Counseling at UNM by Spring 2024, she cultivates an integrative practice inspired by humanistic, existential, cognitive-behavioral, feminist, multicultural, strength and art-based theories.

A believer in holistic wellness, social and environmental justice, Farleigh holds herself to a lifelong professional and personal practice that embodies these pursuits. She believes in the empowerment of body and sex positivity as protected by a culture of autonomy and consent. Importantly, Farleigh is aware of how colonialism has impacted and shaped modern living around the world, in the US, and in New Mexico, the original territory of Indigenous tribes. She is sensitive to the individual and collective power and responsibility towards creating a better future for the health and wellness of all people and the planet.

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Leigh (she/they) approaches therapy with humility, authenticity and playfulness, seeing the relationship between therapist and client as foundational. A believer in the value of politicized healing, she often engages clients in exploring the way oppression informs one's sense of self and the potential for safety, embodiment and connection. Leigh is acutely aware of the impact of systemic violence on both marginalized communities and those who hold power, recognizing that human responses to such conditions are often pathologized within dominant culture.

Leigh graduated with her Masters of Social Work from Highlands University and particularly enjoys supporting others in exploring identity, history, and culture to deepen self-knowledge and connect with personal values. They bring a deep curiosity to therapy, empowering clients to share (and often re-author) their stories, knowing that being seen and validated by others is necessary for change. Leigh incorporates frameworks including feminist theory, HAES, Motivational Interviewing, narrative therapy, DBT, trauma therapy, attachment and nervous system regulation psychoeducation into their work.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Gabriela (she/her) is dedicated to helping couples and individuals strengthen their relationships and nurture emotional well-being. Whether guiding couples in search of deeper connection or individuals on a journey of personal growth, Gabriela provides a safe and understanding space. Her client-centered approach makes her a valuable ally in the journey toward emotional well-being and healthier relationships. Gabriela's Level II certification from the Gottman Institute underscores her ability to apply proven techniques that enhance communication and strengthen emotional bonds. In addition to her Gottman Certification, Gabriela utilizes Motivational Interviewing, Attachment Theory, Psychoeducation, and a sex-positive framework to help clients explore inner aspects of themselves.

Gabriela (ella/su) se dedica a ayudar a parejas e individuos a fortalecer sus relaciones y fomentar el bienestar emocional. Ya sea guiando a parejas en busca de una conexión más profunda o a individuos en un viaje de crecimiento personal, Gabriela proporciona un espacio seguro y comprensivo. Su enfoque centrado en el cliente la convierte en una aliada valiosa en el camino hacia el bienestar emocional y relaciones más saludables. La certificación de Nivel II de Gabriela en el Instituto Gottman subraya su capacidad para aplicar técnicas comprobadas que mejoran la comunicación y fortalecen los vínculos emocionales. Además de su Certificación Gottman, Gabriela utiliza la Entrevista Motivacional, la Teoría del Apego, la Psicoeducación y un marco sexpositivo para ayudar a los clientes a explorar aspectos internos de sí mismos.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Connie (she/they) approaches therapy with respect towards each person’s story and life experience. Connie offers a safe space to reflect and explore life experiences.

Connie values the importance of a client’s culture & background, as well as recognizing the intersections of privileges and oppressions in people’s lives, and how that impacts one’s sense of self and identity.

Connie’s work is informed by growing up as queer and a member of an immigrant family and enjoys working with people who are between and a part of multiple cultures. Connie’s areas of interest are working with individuals who are: BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+.

Connie is a graduate of New Mexico State University and has lived in Albuquerque since 2013. Connie is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), is internal family systems(IFS) informed, and incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), attachment theory, and Mindful Self Compassion.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Angie (she/her) brings a lifetime of experience and wisdom to her practice. She is known for being a good listener and her ability to remember the details of your story while also creating and holding a safe space. Angie believes in the power of curiosity, and she will work with you to identify your strength and ability to make positive changes in your life.

Angie is a graduate of Highlands University and is passionate about helping others. Angie’s specialty areas are healing after unhealthy relationships, recovering after complex trauma, learning healthy communication and boundaries, and maternal mental health. She incorporates techniques from trauma therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), HAES, attachment theory, Motivational Interviewing, and somatic work. Angie’s primary priority in her therapy practice is to create a safe container for you to do meaningful work while creating a tailored treatment plan that fits her client’s individuality.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST & ART THERAPIST

As a therapist Abigail (she/her) strives to create a safe and supportive space where clients can uncover a deeper sense of worthiness and wellbeing amidst life’s challenges. In sessions Abigail brings a genuine desire to listen and understand, leaving room for playfulness, creativity, and mystery. Abigail enjoys working with clients seeking to find relief from anxiety and depression, develop increased self-esteem, navigate life transitions, build healthy relationships, shift intergenerational patterns, and explore existential and spiritual issues.

Abigail holds a Masters degree in Art Therapy and Counseling and has a background in music. The foundation of her work is relational and experiential, meaning that in addition to traditional talk therapy, clients get to experience healing moments in sessions that can have a lasting impact on their felt sense and connection to life. Abigail draws from a variety of approaches including somatic practices, art therapy, internal parts work, attachment theory, ecotherapy, and depth psychology, all through a trauma-informed lens designed to leave clients feeling empowered. Abigail was born and raised in Albuquerque and is also a member of the Yavapai Apache Nation.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

An intellectual at heart, Lydia (she/her) loves a good balance of the duality of emotion and thought. Lydia prefers to take a laid back and practical approach to her clinical work. She's an eclectic therapist, working from multiple frameworks to fit the time and space of her clients. She has four college degrees, including Psychology and Social Work. She has worked in mental and behavioral healthcare since 2012 and loves the complex and rewarding nature of this field.

She has also studied psychopharmacology, neuroscience, and is trained in trauma and grief therapy, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, K9 and Equine therapy, relationship counseling, dialectical behavioral therapy, art therapy, mindfulness, OCD treatment, parts work, and has experience working with LGBTQIA+, reactive attachment disorder, domestic violence, and individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder. She especially enjoys working with teenagers, parents, groups, and couples.

Lydia will challenge you to grow while fostering safety, seek and nurture understanding, encourage you to be unapologetically yourself and to enjoy the lifelong ride of self-discovery. Lydia believes in the healing and love animals provide and utilizes therapy dogs in her practice. In addition to challenging herself to grow and learn, Lydia loves to spend time with her dogs and husband, laugh, enjoy live theater, read mystery and psychological thrillers, watch movies, and play video games.

THERAPY DOG

Romeo has been doing therapy alongside Lydia Pollard, LCSW since 2018. He has graduated from two different dog training programs and was an honorary member of the NMSU School of Social Work graduating class of 2021. He has provided love, safety, and joy in many different environments including hospitals, doctors' offices, physical therapy clinics, airports, and mental health agencies. He loved his time being read to by the children at his local library and is always happy to make a new friend. He is an excellent listener and has never, ever repeated anyone's secrets. He loves neck scratchies, snacks, helping people, naps, and cuddles. Not necessarily in that order. He is an old soul with lots of love to share and is the goodest boy.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Raquelle (she/her) enjoys working with people who are experiencing depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Raquelle especially likes working with women and mothers to find their voice, power, and independence. She draws from her personal experience and insight inform her desire to attend to others with compassion, humility, and empathy.

Raquelle is a graduate of Adam’s State University and utilizes a trauma-informed lens in her therapeutic approach. She believes in holistic approaches to find balance in overall wellness, including spirituality and ecotherapy. She strives to build a strong therapeutic alliance with clients and aims to create a safe & empowering atmosphere for clients to be true to themselves and free themselves of self-judgement.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Yo hablo español.

Ana (she/her) is a bilingual Clinical Social Worker, fluent in both English and Spanish. Ana spent several years growing up in Venezuela, where she soaked up the language and gained an appreciation for exploring the world. This has shaped her in many ways, but as a clinician, it has led to a deeper understanding of community and its impact on humanity. Ana’s pursuit of personal growth led her to study Anthropology as an undergrad, and finally to receive a Masters in Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University in 2023.

Informed by a Feminist theory, Multicultural theory and Attachment theory, Ana’s approach to clinical work relies heavily on the exploration of identity politics and their effect on relationships, in and out of therapy. Ana’s work is guided by collaborative, client-led, trauma-informed practices that empower people to know that they are the experts in their own lives and what they seek is already within them. She is a believer in relational healing and restorative justice. Passionate about working with individuals, couples and groups, Ana hopes to continue contributing to a space of creating, healing and being together, free from trauma and oppression.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Rachel (she/they) was born and raised on the Tiwa, Piro, and Pueblo lands of New Mexico. With a background in Psychology and Evolutionary Anthropology, Rachel graduated with her Masters of Social Work from the University of Washington's School of Social Work in 2022 and has since returned to New Mexico with the intention to serve their community.

Rachel approaches her work through a strengths-based critical lens informed by Abolitionist Teaching theory, Critical Race theory, Ecological Systems theory, Queer theory, Settler Colonialism, and Disability Justice. Guided by her values of playfulness, authenticity, community, and respect, Rachel works with individuals who are ready to lean into the process of growth and healing. Rachel works with teens and adults who are seeking support to integrate past trauma, find relief in their day-to-day lives, and reconnect with their authentic and always-evolving selves.

Rachel is experienced in Motivational Interviewing, SBIRT, HAES, Mindfulness-based therapy, Experiential Play Therapy, the Nurtured Heart approach, attachment theory, and Intuitive Eating.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Miriam (she/her) aims to provide a safe, supportive and accepting environment in which to explore your past to improve your future. Miriam is trauma-informed and consent-focused and hopes to gently guide clients toward treatment goals, while being considerate and mindful of everyone’s individualized tolerance for distress. She mainly approaches treatment from an attachment theory perspective and enjoys learning about the client and their historical experiences. Through self-acceptance and gaining insight into their attachment styles, clients will work towards improving their sense of value and confidence in developing and maintaining healthier relationships. Miriam will utilize psychoeducation and building of distress tolerance skills to help clients feel empowered in regulating and reducing intrusive trauma symptoms. She will also integrate somatic, insight oriented and reprocessing approaches to trauma healing/recovery in working toward assisting clients in feeling less reactive to environmental triggers of trauma memories.

Miriam received her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas, Arlington in 2004. She returned to her home state of New Mexico upon graduation and has developed her clinical skills through experiences in school mental health, treatment foster care and community mental health settings. She is currently a Level 1 & 2 Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Miriam is also trained in EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Experiencing, Polyvagal Theory and Cognitive Processing Therapy.

SOCIAL WORK INTERN

Elijah (He/Him) is a Master's Student at New Mexico Highlands University. Elijah utilizes a trauma oriented, relational, and person-centered approach. His education has focused on postcolonial theory, Jewish studies, and feminist theory. His clinical practice incorporates elements of narrative therapy, relational and attachment theories, CBT, and internal family systems.

Elijah is especially interested in working with clients who have experienced complex developmental trauma, as well as clients who are navigating neurodivergence and learning differences as adults. His experience working with clients who struggle with substance use and formerly incarcerated individuals has taught him the importance of developing a healing and nonjudgmental relationship. This relationship can provide a space where the client and therapist can work collaboratively to heal the wounds of complex histories and build a safer future. He has found that one of the most powerful interventions he can offer is a contagious belief in the resilience of his clients.