Gretchen Gulotta, MA, LPC, CADC-R 

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 relationships; 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, and spiritual).

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

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.