MEET THE FOUNDER
MEET THE FOUNDER
Hi there,
I'm Jen.
I know reaching out for therapy is not always easy.
There is something incredibly brave about deciding to ask for help, especially when you have spent a long time convincing yourself that you should be able to handle everything on your own. Sometimes even getting to the point of searching for a therapist means you have already been carrying more than others may realize.
Starting therapy means you are willing to be curious about yourself, to make space for what you have been feeling, and to consider that things can be different.
I created Perspective Psychology with the hope of offering a space where people can show up as they are. You do not need to know exactly what you want to say. You do not need to have the right words, and you certainly do not need to have everything figured out.
My hope is that therapy feels like a place where you can be honest, feel understood, and begin looking at yourself and your experiences with a little more compassion. Sometimes we cannot change what has happened to us, but we can begin to understand how it has shaped us and decide what we want to carry forward.
If you have made it this far, give yourself credit for taking that first step. I would be honored to be part of what comes next.
Warmly,
Jennifer Gutierrez, MS, LMHC
Florida Department of Health
License #MH26778
Doctor of Psychology, Clinical Psychology -
Albizu University (Expected 2029)
Master of Science, General Psychology -
Albizu University
Master of Science, Counseling Psychology -
Florida International University
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology -
Florida International University
Hello!
What It’s Like to Work With Me
I would describe my style as warm, conversational, curious, and collaborative.
I am not the kind of therapist who expects you to do all the talking while I sit silently across from you. I ask questions, point out patterns, offer feedback, and sometimes gently challenge you when I think it could help you see something differently.
At the same time, I do not believe therapy should feel like someone is telling you what to do with your life. You know yourself better than anyone else. My role is to help you understand yourself more clearly and support you as you decide what feels right for you.
There is room in therapy for serious conversations, but there is also room for humor, awkward moments, and simply being human.
You do not need to come in with a perfectly organized list of things to talk about. Sometimes we start with whatever happened that week and see where it takes us.
Culture & Identity
Who you are cannot be separated from where you come from.
Family, culture, values, identity, community, and life experiences all shape the way we understand ourselves and the way we move through the world.
These things can influence how we communicate, how we experience relationships, what we believe is expected of us, and even how comfortable we feel asking for help.
I believe those parts of your story belong in therapy.
You should not have to explain away or minimize important parts of your background in order to feel understood. My goal is to remain curious about your individual experience and make room for the things that are meaningful to you.
Why I Became a Therapist
I have always been curious about people and what happens underneath the surface.
Sometimes anxiety is not just anxiety. Sometimes anger is covering hurt. Sometimes we keep finding ourselves in the same kinds of relationships without fully understanding why. Our emotions and behaviors usually have a story behind them, even when we do not recognize it right away.
That is one of the things I value most about therapy: getting curious about that story.
I became a therapist because I wanted to create a space where people could feel understood without being reduced to a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. A space where it is okay to ask why certain things feel so hard, where certain patterns came from, and what might need to change.
For me, one of the most meaningful parts of this work is seeing someone begin to understand themselves in a way they had not before.
How I Think About Therapy
A lot of what we struggle with today did not begin today.
The way we respond to conflict, handle relationships, manage stress, view ourselves, or react when we feel rejected may be connected to experiences we had much earlier in life. Some of those connections are obvious. Others are harder to see because they have become so familiar that they feel like part of who we are.
Therapy gives us a chance to slow those patterns down and understand them.
My approach is influenced by psychodynamic therapy, relational and attachment-based therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma-informed care.
That means we may spend time looking at where certain patterns came from and what may be happening outside of your immediate awareness. We may also work on practical skills for anxiety, negative thinking, emotional regulation, communication, and coping.
I believe all pieces matter. Sometimes it helps to understand why something is happening, and sometimes you also need tools for what to do when it happens.
Outside of the Therapy Room…
I am a first generation graduate student in my Cuban-Venezuelan family, which is a part of my journey that has deeply shaped my values. I have presented research on psychological assessments at national psychology conferences and truly enjoy blending research into the work that I do.
In my personal life, I love setting yearly reading goals and I’ll always reach for a good psychological thriller. I also enjoy traveling, exploring new coffee shops around the area, and trying out different workout classes. At home is my favorite time, and I spend it with my husband and orange kitty, Lili!
A Thank You to My Clients
To every client who has trusted me with a part of their story, thank you.
I never take for granted how vulnerable it can feel to sit across from someone and talk about the parts of life that are painful, confusing, or difficult to put into words. Allowing someone into those parts of your life takes courage, and I am incredibly grateful to be trusted with that space.
Being a therapist means getting to witness people grow, understand themselves in new ways, work through difficult seasons, and sometimes simply make it through a week they were not sure they could handle. Those moments mean more to me than I can fully explain.
Thank you for showing up, for being honest, for allowing yourself to be seen, and for letting me walk alongside you for part of your journey.
This work is deeply meaningful to me because of the people I have the privilege of working with. I am grateful for every conversation, every breakthrough, every difficult session, every laugh, and every small step forward.
Most of all, thank you for trusting me with your story. It is an honor I will never take lightly.
-Jen 🤍