Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Las Cruces, NM covered by United Healthcare

Two decades of clinical excellence.

Dr. Cindy Ruelas-Tafolla's path to becoming a clinician began at age 13 with the sudden loss of her father — an experience that planted the seed of her life's purpose: to be the kind of support she needed during her own darkest moments.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society from UC Santa Barbara, her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, and her Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) from USC.

Over two decades, she has served as a Medical Social Worker, Case Manager, and Behavioral Health Therapist — bringing doctoral-level depth, board-certified credentials, and genuine compassion to every client she works with.

A very warm hello! I’m so glad to meet you, and I look forward to teaching you fascinating techniques to help you accomplish your counseling goals. Psychology is my passion, and for 25 years, I’ve worked to learn the most effective therapies. I use the latest in Neuro Psycho therapy along with Cognitive Behavioral therapy, EMDR, and other therapies to help my Clients. As a ‘mature’ woman, I have plenty of real life experience to back up professional training, as such, I specialize in all areas of Women’s issues.

I’m Mary, a nurse practitioner with nearly 40 years of experience in healthcare, and caring for people across the lifespan has been at the heart of my work from the beginning. My journey has included women’s health and midwifery, emergency care, and ultimately psychiatric mental health, shaped by a deep belief that no one should have to struggle alone. Personal loss and witnessing gaps in mental health care strengthened my commitment to helping people before pain becomes overwhelming. Outside of work, I enjoy starting my mornings with quiet reflection, going on long-distance cycling adventures, and relaxing with some friendly Xbox competition alongside my husband and friends.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally drained—and nothing seems to be helping the way you hoped—you’re not alone. Many of my clients come to me feeling stuck, exhausted, or unsure of what they need next.

I work with children, teens, and adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, mood changes, and life stressors, and who are ready for a thoughtful, personalized approach to care. I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience in healthcare as both a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner.

Therapy should be a place where you can talk honestly about the things that are difficult to say out loud without being judged or reduced to a diagnosis—or to the hardest chapter of your life.

I work with adults and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, suicidal thoughts, sexual trauma, intimacy and sexual-health concerns, grief, life transitions, military and veteran concerns, first-responder stress, and relational distress. Relational distress can include communication breakdown, recurring conflict, loss of trust, emotional distance, intimacy concerns, separation or divorce-related stress, changes within a family, parenting-related strain, or simply reaching a point where you are unsure how to move forward.

My role in therapy is to help you understand what is happening, identify what you want to change, strengthen your ability to respond differently, and work toward healthier functioning and relationships. My clinical style is direct, collaborative, trauma-informed, practical, and shame-free.

I am independently licensed for clinical social-work practice in Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida; EMDR-trained; a Certified Psychosexual Assessment Specialist (CPAS); a Board-Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE); a Board-Certified Forensic Psychometrist (CFP); and a U.S. Army veteran.

My broader professional practice includes forensic mental-health evaluation and consultation. Those services are separate from psychotherapy. Once I am retained as your treating therapist and a clinical treatment relationship has been established, I cannot also serve as your forensic evaluator, expert witness, or child-custody evaluator in the same matter. Therapy is treatment-focused and is intended to support your clinical needs—not to generate an independent forensic opinion for litigation.

Sometimes life is hard...and sometimes, the word “hard” doesn't begin to cover it.

You may feel stuck, overwhelmed, lost, or simply tired of feeling the way you do. Maybe you know that experiences from your past are still affecting you today, or you find yourself repeating patterns you understand but can't seem to change. Other times, you may not know exactly what's wrong...you just know that something isn't working anymore.

Over the years, I've helped adults heal unresolved wounds from childhood, develop greater self-awareness and self-esteem, improve relationships, and make life-enhancing changes that allow them to feel more connected to themselves and the lives they want to live. I work with people navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and the everyday challenges that can leave us feeling overwhelmed.

I believe we all have the ability to grow and make meaningful changes in our lives. Sometimes we just need some help finding our strengths and figuring out what we need now.

Each of us has our own unique story and experiences. It's a privilege when someone chooses to share their story with me, and I'll meet you wherever you are in yours.

**Please note: I may have availability beyond what is currently shown on my calendar. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly to schedule a consultation call: [email protected] :)