Vanessa Gutierrez, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Specialties
Trauma
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Complex PTSD
Sexual abuse
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Grief
Anxiety
Disabilities
Autoimmunes
LGBTQ+ population
Who I Work With
I am passionate about working with adult women, men, and the LGBTQ+ community who have experienced trauma. My goal is to support your healing journey by empowering you to overcome the impact of your past, heal from your wounds, reclaim control over your life, and redefine your future.
About
I am a first-generation Latina LGBTQ+ affirming therapist, born and raised in Southeast Los Angeles dedicated to providing culturally appropriate mental health services. I believe that a key aspect of healing is achieving self-love. Self-love involves the ability to fully accept and love yourself unconditionally. I recognize that there are parts of us that need compassion, care, and understanding. Reconnecting with these parts is essential for centering ourselves and returning to a state of wholeness.
As a psychotherapist, my dedication to working with trauma stems from my personal experience with complex trauma. I remember feeling isolated and misunderstood, often engaging in mal-adaptive behaviors as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions. This experience fuels my passion for helping others who face similar struggles. My goal is to assist clients in resolving their inner conflicts, embracing all aspects of themselves, and developing healthier relationships. Complex trauma can lead to feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, and anger, and create difficulties in managing your emotions. It can also shape your core sense of self based on your trauma, which may not reflect your true identity. My goal is to help you explore and deconstruct the narratives and belief systems that have shaped your life, so you can create your own story and shape a future that aligns with your true self.
I utilize Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to target traumatic or distressing memories and beliefs that are keeping you stuck and hindering your ability to thrive. The goal of EMDR is to reduce the emotional charge of traumatic or distressing events, by desensitization and reprocessing symptoms of trauma, and integrating new belief systems that will support your healing and personal growth journey. Together we will identify the root causes of trauma, which will help you develop healthier coping mechanisms, improve your overall well-being, and regain a sense of control over your life. I also incorporate EMDR parts work, which is based on the concept that within each person, there are sub-personalities or “parts” that interact with one another. Working with these parts helps resolve inner conflicts and develop healthier relationships with oneself. In addition to EMDR, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I help clients identify their triggers to facilitate transformation and healing.
I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is vital for your healing journey. Therefore, I strive to create a supportive and empathetic environment where clients feel seen and understood. I view self awareness and vulnerability as essential pathways to your healing and personal development journey. I aim to create a safe space where you can cultivate self compassion and support all aspects of yourself to flourish. Additionally, I’m also a firm believer in the mind-body-soul connection and the impact that stress can have on physical health. I incorporate this perspective into my practice to support holistic healing and overall well-being. When appropriate, I will also challenge your negative thinking and maladaptive behaviors to help you develop self-awareness and transform these patterns.
Off the Clock
In my free time, I engage in my own healing and personal development through various modalities, such as breath work, somatic healing, reiki, and attending personal development conferences for inspiration. I appreciate staying active through activities like weight training, cycling, boxing, and spending time in nature.
Education
Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Pupil Services Credential from California State University, Long Beach
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from California State University of Los Angeles
Certifications
EMDR Trained Therapist
EMDR Easy Ego States Interventions