Recognized for both her work as a licensed mental health therapist and her dedication to community service.
Katherine Gutierrez, founder and licensed mental health therapist at Awakened Counseling Services, has been honored as a member of the prestigious Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 Class of 2024. The award recognizes young professionals across Southwest Florida who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and have made meaningful contributions to their communities. Katherine’s selection to this exclusive list underscores not only her professional achievements but also her commitment to creating lasting, positive change in the lives of others.
While Gulfshore Business annually highlights leaders from diverse fields such as law, hospitality, and entrepreneurship, Katherine’s work in mental health therapy stands out for its direct impact on healing individuals and strengthening the overall wellness of the community. Her approach to therapy, particularly through her expertise in trauma and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), makes her a beacon of hope for many dealing with trauma and emotional distress.
Katherine’s Career Achievements
Katherine Gutierrez’s journey as a therapist is deeply intertwined with her personal experiences and the values instilled by her mother, Candida. As the founder of Awakened Counseling Services, Katherine has dedicated her career to helping people navigate the difficult terrain of trauma, anxiety, and emotional pain.
Awakened Counseling Services, with locations in both Bonita Springs and Fort Myers, provides a safe and supportive space where clients can explore their emotional challenges, regain balance, and achieve personal growth. The center offers a range of services, including individual counseling, couples therapy, and EMDR therapy, all rooted in the belief that healing is a collaborative journey between therapist and client.
EMDR, one of Katherine’s specialties, is a groundbreaking therapeutic technique that is highly effective in treating individuals suffering from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.
EMDR works by helping clients reprocess traumatic memories and emotions that have become “stuck” in the brain, allowing them to reduce the emotional charge of these memories and ultimately heal. Katherine’s expertise in this technique has been instrumental in helping clients move past the emotional roadblocks that have held them back.
Her dedication to helping others heal is grounded in the personal lessons she has drawn from her own life. Katherine often reflects on the profound impact her mother had on her outlook and resilience, saying, “My mother, Candida, taught me that there are no limits to what I can do and inspires me to always strive for personal growth regardless of the circumstance. I am a byproduct of my lived experiences and a walking, breathing testimony that with faith, a supportive village, and hard work, all things are possible.” This mindset, she adds, is one that she carries into every session, helping her clients feel empowered to overcome their challenges and embrace the possibility of transformation.
At Awakened Counseling Services, Katherine and her team provide therapy to children, teens, and adults, ensuring that clients from all walks of life receive the compassionate care they need. Whether working with a teenager struggling with academic and social pressures, or helping an adult process past trauma, Katherine’s work has helped countless individuals experience emotional breakthroughs and lasting change.
Community Impact
Katherine’s contributions extend far beyond the walls of her therapy practice. She is deeply involved in community service, playing an active role in initiatives that aim to uplift and support vulnerable populations. One of the most impactful ways she contributes is through her involvement in the Take Stock in Children program, where she mentors high school students, helping them navigate the complex journey to college and adulthood. For Katherine, mentorship is not just about academic success but also about fostering personal growth, self-confidence, and resilience in the young people she works with. She believes that every student deserves a strong support system, and she takes pride in helping to build that for those in her community.
In addition to her mentorship efforts, Katherine serves as a crisis counselor, offering emotional support to residents and first responders affected by natural disasters. Southwest Florida is no stranger to the devastating impacts of hurricanes, and Katherine has made it a priority to be there for those in need during these challenging times. Most recently, she spent numerous weekends providing support to those affected by Hurricane Idalia, working tirelessly to help individuals process their grief, anxiety, and trauma in the wake of the storm. Her compassionate presence has made a profound difference for many, and her work continues to offer a beacon of hope for those in the process of rebuilding their lives.
Katherine’s community work also aligns with the mission and values of Awakened Counseling Services. The practice is dedicated to helping people define their best selves through healing and gaining a refined perspective on their lives. Whether through therapy or community service, Katherine’s commitment to fostering emotional well-being extends across the entire Southwest Florida region, from Bonita Springs to Fort Myers and beyond.
The Power of Healing and Change
Central to Katherine Gutierrez’s work is the belief that everyone has the capacity for profound change. She is passionate about helping her clients find their way to healing, and she is constantly motivated by the progress she sees in the individuals she works with. As she explains, “The evidence of change and healing that I see in the people I work with is what fuels and drives me to do more and aim higher.”
This approach is foundational to the work being done at Awakened Counseling Services. Whether a client is dealing with childhood trauma, struggling with relationship issues, or seeking relief from anxiety or depression, Katherine’s goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment where they can explore their emotions, confront their fears, and ultimately find healing. In her practice, therapy is viewed not just as a tool for managing symptoms but as a path to self-discovery and growth.
EMDR, in particular, has become a transformative tool in Katherine’s therapeutic arsenal. It allows clients to process traumatic memories in a way that alleviates their emotional burden and helps them regain control over their lives. For many, EMDR has opened the door to a level of healing they never thought possible, helping them reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and enabling them to lead more fulfilling lives. Katherine’s expertise in this area has been instrumental in providing a sense of hope and renewal for her clients, and it’s a cornerstone of her work at Awakened Counseling Services.
Recognition and Future Outlook
Katherine’s inclusion in the Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 Class of 2024 is a well-deserved recognition of her contributions, not only as a skilled therapist but as a dedicated community leader. This honor is a testament to her tireless work in the mental health field and her unwavering commitment to helping others heal, grow, and thrive.
As she continues to expand her practice and deepen her community involvement, Katherine remains focused on her mission: to help every individual she works with define their best version of self through healing and personal growth. Whether through her work at Awakened Counseling Services or her community outreach efforts, she is determined to make a lasting impact on the lives of those she touches.
In the years to come, Katherine plans to further develop her practice, expand her EMDR services, and continue her community outreach initiatives. Her goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the mental health support they need to overcome life’s challenges and lead fulfilling lives.
As her recognition in the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024 demonstrates, Katherine’s work is making a real difference in Southwest Florida, and she shows no signs of slowing down. We congratulate Katherine Gutierrez on this well-earned honor and look forward to seeing how her continued dedication to therapy and community service will shape the future.
Learn More
To learn more about Katherine Gutierrez and the services offered at Awakened Counseling Services, visit Awakened Counseling Services. Katherine and her team are committed to providing compassionate, expert care to individuals seeking healing through therapy, including trauma-focused treatments such as EMDR.
The Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 celebration will take place on September 27, 2024, at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs. Reserve your tickets today and join us in celebrating the achievements of Southwest Florida’s rising leaders.
