Gretchen Gulotta, MA LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Serving Adolescents & Adults

503-476-1031

gretchen@livingwholehearted.com

Philosophy & Approach to Counseling

Welcome! It can feel like a big decision to start therapy, perhaps for the first time or maybe once again. I am glad you are here!

As a trauma-informed therapist, it is important to me to create a safe place for connection during therapy. Humans are made for connection, and it is only when we are in safe, healthy connection that we can truly thrive and heal.

I believe that a creative, curious and collaborative partnership between the therapist and client is the best way to build connection well in the therapeutic space. One of my favorite ways of entering into understanding mental health is through the lens of interpersonal neurobiology; this is an approach that views people holistically, understanding that the mind, body and spirit are interconnected, and if one is influenced, all are influenced. I have seen and experienced how coming to understand our holistic nature can create self-compassion and awareness that then fuels the opportunity to make helpful changes.

One of my clinical passions and specialties is trauma and the different ways it sometimes manifests in difficulty with mood; unhelpful thought patterns; addictive behaviors or substance use; physical pain; inability to feel connected to others in healthy relationship; or experiencing a block that interferes with accomplishing aspirations, to name a few. Trauma can look and feel different from person to person. My clinical experiences and training have allowed me the privilege of working with men, women, and emerging young adults on these types of concerns. Additionally, I work with those experiencing anxiety, depression, challenging life changes, relationship issues, difficulty with communication, and abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, financial, spiritual).

I tend to approach therapy eclectically, utilizing trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches that meet each person within their own strengths and curiosities.

Formal Education, Training, and Experience:

I have a Bachelors degree from University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire in Psychology, with a minor in Neuroscience. I received my Masters degree from Pacific University in Applied Psychological Science with Clinical Focus. I consider myself a forever-learner; however, my formal education has allowed me to work in residential and community-based mental health settings. While working with men and women in a faith-based residential treatment, I facilitated group and individual therapy, focusing on understanding substance abuse issues as they intersect with issues of identity and trauma. I also provided group and individual therapy for teenage boys who were in residential treatment, seeking support for mental health and substance abuse issues; much of the clinical focus was around exploring safe vs. unsafe systems in their lives. I have additionally served adults across the lifespan through community-based mental health in both individual and group settings, helping to build skills, tools and resources to manage anxiety, depression, trauma, and many other additional mental health concerns. Many of these individuals also struggle with addiction or are in relationship with someone with addiction.

Many years of volunteering within churches and non-profits, specifically with youth and families, have broadened my clinical understandings. I have volunteered and interned with a non-profit focused on educating the public about the warning signs of sexual exploitation and trafficking, as well as volunteered with another non-profit that mentors teenage girls at risk or involved with sex trafficking.

I have experience and training around suicide and risk prevention, Polyvagal theory, trauma-informed Third Wave Behavioral approaches (Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and Motivational Interviewing. Because of the importance of using multiple parts of our brain to connect and process, at times I also utilize expressive therapy techniques, such as sand tray, movement, and art therapy.

Continuing Education and Supervision:

I am a registered Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Oregon (License number C6818). I am committed to seeking consultation with other mental health professionals as needed, and consistently attend trainings throughout the year to further renew and enhance my therapeutic skills.

Fees and Cancellation Policy:

My fee is $185 for a clinical hour (50 minutes), and $240 for the event that an 80 minute session is needed. Payment is made upfront for each session via cash, check, or credit card. I do not accept insurance; however, you may investigate if your insurance benefits cover out-of-network providers and what those terms are. You may be able to submit paperwork to your insurance company to apply our sessions to deductibles and/or receive assistance or reimbursement for the costs. I am happy to provide a super-bill for those purposes as requested. 

In the event you need to cancel your session, please contact me no later than 24 hours before your scheduled appointment so as not to be charged for the session. 

Please contact me at 503-476-1031 to schedule an appointment or email gretchen@livingwholehearted.com