Meet The Team

Jeremy Lihte is a passionate advocate and innovator in behavioral health, dedicated to creating pathways for recovery, resilience, and community wellness. With deep roots in New Mexico and lived experience informing his approach, Jeremy has tirelessly advanced initiatives that broaden access to compassionate, evidence-based treatment for substance use and mental health disorders.

As founder and director of New Mexico Leaders in Recovery (NMLR), Jeremy has cultivated a robust statewide network of behavioral health providers, emphasizing collaboration and peer-supported models to drive system-level change. Through his leadership, NMLR champions the integration of recovery-oriented services and has successfully established standards promoting best practices and accountability within recovery housing.
 

In his role at The Pines Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to sophisticated and individualized care, Jeremy spearheads programmatic innovation and community engagement. His strategic vision has positioned The Pines as a premier provider known for high-quality and comprehensive support.

Jeremy’s commitment extends beyond traditional treatment models, advocating for comprehensive, trauma-responsive systems that empower individuals and communities alike. He continues to lead by example, transforming personal and collective recovery experiences into lasting resilience.

Dr. Paul Miller, PsyD, Founder & CCO, contributes over 20 years of behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment experience across New Mexico's diverse communities. His extensive career includes leadership roles in residential and outpatient treatment programs, direct collaboration with tribal behavioral health systems, and academic partnerships that have strengthened workforce development statewide.
 

Dr. Miller's expertise in culturally responsive treatment models—particularly his work addressing historical trauma in Native American communities—has fostered meaningful partnerships with tribal nations and Indigenous-serving organizations across New Mexico. His clinical supervision expertise spans nearly a decade, during which he has mentored countless behavioral health professionals while maintaining active partnerships with community treatment providers throughout the state.

Lauren Gomez, LCSW, serves as the Chief Operating Officer of The Pines Institute, where she provides executive leadership for organizational operations, strategic planning, program development, and quality improvement initiatives. With nearly 20 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, Lauren brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and operational leadership to support the organization's continued growth and impact.

Throughout her career, Lauren has led the development and expansion of behavioral health programs, implemented systems that improve quality and efficiency, and built collaborative teams dedicated to delivering exceptional care. She is committed to fostering innovation, strengthening organizational infrastructure, and ensuring services remain evidence based and tailored to individuals needs.

Lauren is passionate about advancing behavioral health through thoughtful leadership, continuous improvement, and a commitment to excellence. She works alongside staff, community partners, and leadership to further The Pines Institute's mission of transforming lives and creating healthier communities through compassionate, high quality care.

Marley Cote is a highly accomplished professional with a proven track record in the behavioral health field. With 15 years of experience, Marley has demonstrated expertise in couples’ relationship work, utilizing Gottman methods for couples therapy and a foundation in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which is fundamentally trained through Behavior Tech. Marley is known for his dedication to working with vulnerable community members as they seek mental health and wellness. Marley is committed to driving success and making a meaningful impact in every endeavor. Marley believes in integrity, innovation, and growth. He approaches each challenge with curiosity, striving to leave a lasting legacy both professionally and personally.

Marley holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of New Mexico, where he honed his skills and developed a solid foundation in clinical mental health.

As director of clinical therapy at Cottonwood Therapeutics, Marley oversees the day-to-day clinical functioning of the clinical therapy team. His role involves maintaining the highest quality of behavioral health services, enabling positive influence in serving Albuquerque and the surrounding communities.

Throughout his career, Marley has held key positions at Bosque Mental Health, PB&J Family Services, Sage Neuroscience, and the University of New Mexico Hospital, where he spearheaded indelible change to inpatient psychiatric care and outpatient behavioral health services.

Working in many different behavioral health environments, from outpatient therapy to substance use treatment to acute inpatient psychiatric care, JR opened Cottonwood Therapeutics with the aim of providing wide-ranging psychotherapeutic services to New Mexicans in need of support. JR’s philosophy toward therapeutic work is that, in addition to addressing problem behaviors and present-focused issues, it is of great value to tap into the existential and meaning-based drives that inform those present issues. Adhering to this philosophy has allowed great successes for his patients, whether that be enriched relationships, personal growth and insight, or reconciling with negative experiences and trauma. JR utilizes psychodynamically-driven, insight-based talk therapy paired with behavioral therapies such as DBT skills and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. For individuals suffering from the effects of trauma and PTSD, JR is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

JR is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a BA in Philosophy, leading to work as a teacher of adult inmates at Gordon Bernell Charter School in Albuquerque. Following 5 years in education, JR pursued a graduate degree in clinical social work from New Mexico Highlands University. In addition to his wide range of clinical work, JR has worked as adjunct faculty at NMHU’s Facundo Valdez School of Social Work, is an active musician, and enjoys time with his family and three dogs.

Working in many different behavioral health environments, from outpatient therapy to substance use treatment to acute inpatient psychiatric care, JR opened Cottonwood Therapeutics with the aim of providing wide-ranging psychotherapeutic services to New Mexicans in need of support. JR’s philosophy toward therapeutic work is that, in addition to addressing problem behaviors and present-focused issues, it is of great value to tap into the existential and meaning-based drives that inform those present issues. Adhering to this philosophy has allowed great successes for his patients, whether that be enriched relationships, personal growth and insight, or reconciling with negative experiences and trauma. JR utilizes psychodynamically-driven, insight-based talk therapy paired with behavioral therapies such as DBT skills and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. For individuals suffering from the effects of trauma and PTSD, JR is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

JR is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a BA in Philosophy, leading to work as a teacher of adult inmates at Gordon Bernell Charter School in Albuquerque. Following 5 years in education, JR pursued a graduate degree in clinical social work from New Mexico Highlands University. In addition to his wide range of clinical work, JR has worked as adjunct faculty at NMHU’s Facundo Valdez School of Social Work, is an active musician, and enjoys time with his family and three dogs.

Working in many different behavioral health environments, from outpatient therapy to substance use treatment to acute inpatient psychiatric care, JR opened Cottonwood Therapeutics with the aim of providing wide-ranging psychotherapeutic services to New Mexicans in need of support. JR’s philosophy toward therapeutic work is that, in addition to addressing problem behaviors and present-focused issues, it is of great value to tap into the existential and meaning-based drives that inform those present issues. Adhering to this philosophy has allowed great successes for his patients, whether that be enriched relationships, personal growth and insight, or reconciling with negative experiences and trauma. JR utilizes psychodynamically-driven, insight-based talk therapy paired with behavioral therapies such as DBT skills and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. For individuals suffering from the effects of trauma and PTSD, JR is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

JR is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a BA in Philosophy, leading to work as a teacher of adult inmates at Gordon Bernell Charter School in Albuquerque. Following 5 years in education, JR pursued a graduate degree in clinical social work from New Mexico Highlands University. In addition to his wide range of clinical work, JR has worked as adjunct faculty at NMHU’s Facundo Valdez School of Social Work, is an active musician, and enjoys time with his family and three dogs.