About

Welcome! If you are reading this, I would like to applaud you in taking the first step toward caring for your mental and emotional health and well-being. Asking for help or support isn't always an easy thing to do, but I think it is something all of us need during certain seasons of our lives. I've always been fond of the saying that "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". If you've taken that first step, I have no doubt that your are stronger than you might feel at this moment in time. I'm excited that you're here.

My name is Nicole Guttermuth, and I have been working with individuals and families in the community mental health field for the past 15 years. I have been fortunate to work with a wide variety of people, in multiple clinical settings, including: Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention and Intervention, Substance Abuse and Dependency and Intimate Partner Violence. In addition to working with adult survivors of childhood abuse, I have also been trained to work with trauma survivors and am trauma informed. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Resiliency, Neuroscience and Neuroplasticity - specifically the ways stress and trauma impact not only our mental and emotional health, but also our physical health. Researchers in the field of neuroscience and neuro biology continue to find evidence that our brains are able to heal and develop new connections. I find this particular subject matter exciting. To date, it has been one of my greatest interests.
The last eight years of my career were spent in the non-profit sector working with families and children who've been victims and survivors or child abuse and neglect and past traumas that were never addressed or treated with a counselor or any form of therapeutic intervention. Many of my clients have been single parents who struggle with the demands or balancing family life and work; caring for children and making time to practice self-care; and those who struggle financially or are lacking a support system. I have a deep understanding of the difficulties associated with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem issues, and the stresses of everyday life.

Counseling isn't "one size fits all" because we are each special and unique individuals. With that in mind, I approach the therapeutic relationship from a person-centered, strength-based philosophy. Each person with whom I work is the focus of the counseling relationship. Each individual has their own feeling vocabulary and level of comfort in expressing those feelings verbally. I LOVE art therapy and journaling and have found both of these incredibly useful tools for self-expression and problem solving. Before the term because popular, I was and have always been an "outside the box" thinker.

It is my belief that my purpose on earth is to provide others with the support, encouragement and empowerment they need, and that I work diligently to foster within the therapeutic relationship. Like parents who prepare their children to one day leave the nest, as a counselor, it is my goal to equip each person with whom I work, the tools they need to lead happy, healthy lives, to be positive role-models for their children, and to achieve their current and future goals. Navigating through challenges and adversity is never easy; however, with hard work and support, I think each person has the potential to find healing and create peace in their lives.

The poet Robert Frost once wrote "the best way out is always through". I sincerely look forward to working with you in your journey "through" whatever you are facing, knowing that you'll be stronger on the other side.