Tarina Gutierrez
Outside of the therapy room, I’m just a regular person who enjoys a good laugh, real conversations, and finding the little things that make life a little brighter. I believe therapy doesn’t have to feel stiff, intimidating, or like you’re sitting across from someone taking notes on everything you say. It can be a space where you can show up as your authentic self—messy days, awkward moments, breakthroughs, and all.
First session
Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and for you to get a feel for what therapy with me will be like. You don’t need to come in with the perfect explanation of what’s wrong or have everything figured out—we can start exactly where you are. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you’re currently experiencing, and what you hope will be different as you move forward. We’ll also explore what has worked for you in the past, what hasn’t, and what you feel you need right now. Most importantly, you’ll leave with a better sense of who I am, how I work, and what we can accomplish together. My goal is for you to feel heard, understood, and comfortable being yourself. You may even leave with a little more clarity about what you’re feeling and a starting point for where we go from here. And yes—you’re allowed to laugh, cry, swear, or say, “I honestly don’t know.” There’s no judgment here. Just a safe space to start.
Strengths
Hi, I’m a therapist with a Master’s degree in Psychology, and I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including community mental health, private practice, and schools. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of working with people from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories, challenges, and strengths. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, person-centered and down-to earth vibes. I strive to create a welcoming environment where clients feel safe exploring their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without fear of judgment. Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, trauma, or personal growth, I am committed to meeting you where you are and working alongside you toward meaningful and lasting change.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply tired of trying to figure everything out on their own. You might be navigating anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, family dynamics, self-esteem, or just trying to make sense of where you are in life. You don’t have to have everything figured out before coming to therapy—in fact, that’s what we’re here to work on. I enjoy working with people who are open to exploring their thoughts, emotions, patterns, and experiences while finding practical ways to move forward. I especially value working with clients who want a therapist who is genuine, relatable, and willing to meet them where they are. Therapy with me isn’t about judging you or telling you how you should live your life. It’s about creating a comfortable space where you can be yourself, have honest conversations, laugh when appropriate, cry when needed, and work toward becoming the version of yourself you want to be. If you’re ready to better understand yourself, make meaningful changes, and have someone in your corner along the way, you might be exactly the person I love working with.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a practical, collaborative approach to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We’ll look at the patterns that may be keeping you stuck and work together to develop healthier, more helpful ways of responding. CBT isn’t about forcing yourself to “think positive” or pretending that difficult emotions don’t exist. Instead, it’s about becoming more aware of the thoughts and beliefs that influence how you feel and respond, and learning how to challenge patterns that may no longer be serving you. Depending on your goals, our work may include identifying unhelpful thought patterns, building coping skills, practicing healthier behaviors, improving communication, and learning strategies to manage anxiety, stress, and other challenges. I also believe therapy should be useful outside of the therapy room. So, when appropriate, we’ll take what we discuss in session and turn it into practical tools you can use in everyday life. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s helping you feel more confident, more aware, and better equipped to handle life’s ups and downs.
Compassion Focused
I utilize Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) to help clients develop a kinder, more understanding relationship with themselves. Many of us are much harder on ourselves than we would ever be toward someone we love. We can carry guilt, shame, self-criticism, or the belief that we should be doing better, feeling better, or somehow “have it all together.” In therapy, we work on understanding where that inner critic comes from and how it may be impacting the way you see yourself and respond to life’s challenges. Rather than judging those thoughts or trying to simply get rid of them, we learn to respond to ourselves with greater patience, understanding, and compassion. CFT can be especially helpful when you’re struggling with shame, low self-worth, perfectionism, self-criticism, or feeling like you’re never quite enough. We’ll work together to build a more supportive inner voice—one that recognizes that you can hold yourself accountable while still giving yourself grace. For me, self-compassion isn’t about making excuses or avoiding growth. It’s about recognizing that you’re human, that life can be hard, and that you deserve the same kindness and understanding that you so readily offer to others. My goal is to help you move from “What’s wrong with me?” toward “What happened to me, what do I need, and how can I support myself through this?”
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I utilize mindfulness-based approaches to help clients slow down, reconnect with themselves, and become more aware of what is happening in the present moment. When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to get caught up in worries about the future or replaying things from the past. Mindfulness gives us an opportunity to pause and check in with what is happening right here and now. In therapy, we may use mindfulness to notice thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and patterns without immediately judging or reacting to them. This can help you better understand yourself and create a little more space between what you experience and how you choose to respond. Mindfulness doesn’t mean clearing your mind or sitting perfectly still for hours. It can be as simple as taking a breath, noticing what your body is telling you, grounding yourself during a stressful moment, or learning to be fully present in everyday experiences. My goal is to help you develop skills that you can actually use outside of therapy—whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, difficult emotions, relationships, or simply trying to feel more present in your own life. Sometimes, creating space to pause and breathe can make all the difference.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 164572