Online and In-Person
Natalia Gurmendi
Psychotherapist
MAATC, ATR-P
A Note From Natalia
“I approach therapy with the understanding that healing and growth take time, and that having a strong therapeutic relationship is an important part of creating meaningful change. My goal is to create a space where you feel supported, respected, and truly heard—where you can be yourself, ask questions, and explore your experiences without judgment.
Together, we’ll work on better understanding your thoughts, emotions, and patterns through a combination of self-reflection, gentle challenging, mindfulness, and practical goal-setting. I want therapy to feel collaborative, so we’ll figure out what feels most helpful and relevant to you.
My goal is to help you build confidence and feel more connected to what matters most to you. We’ll work on recognizing and responding to your needs, making choices that feel intentional, and navigating challenges with greater clarity. Over time, this can make it easier to care for yourself consistently, communicate your needs more effectively, and build relationships that feel supportive and meaningful.”
Experience
Natalia earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Studio Arts and Spanish from Auburn University. She received her master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Natalia was trained from a social justice lens. She is intentional about empowering clients to embrace the complexities of their identities and instills these values in her practice.
During her graduate studies, Natalia worked with adolescents at Mikva Challenge developing communal projects for youth. These projects were aimed at challenging youth to express themselves creatively and connect with their peers. She offered individual and group support to students throughout their programming. Natalia also worked at Thresholds, supporting adults with anxiety, depression, substance use histories, sexual and physical abuse, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders. Natalia has worked in clinical settings, art focused non-profit settings, community mental health, and private practice.
Client Focus
Natalia excels at working with:
- Younger and older adults as well as first-time therapy clients
- She offers individual therapy
- She is social-justice oriented, culturally sensitive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and sex positive
Types of Therapy
Natalia uses evidence-based and trauma-informed interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Feminist Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. She uses person-centered, strengths-based approaches to create an empowering and welcoming environment for her clients. Together they uncover the impact of their past experiences on their present lives, understand their thoughts and behaviors, and develop coping skills to navigate their lives more effectively.
Areas of Focus
- Anxiety
- Depression
- ADHD
- Complex Trauma and PTSD
- Sexual Trauma
- Substance Use
- Relationship Issues
- Family Conflict
- Racial/Cultural Identity
- Multicultural Relationships
- Coping Skills
- Communication Skills
- Self-Esteem/Self-Worth
- Life Transitions
Languages
Natalia is conversational in:
- Brazilian-Portuguese
- Spanish
Get to Know Natalia
“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” – Maya Angelou
I really enjoy spending time in nature, going for long walks, listening to a solid playlist, thrifting, and connecting with family and friends.
I love expressing myself through my art practice. I work with mediums like sculpture, drawing, painting, ceramics, and collage. I’m also an avid plant lover!
Mental health is not a destination but a journey and we would love to be a part of yours.
Not sure where to get started? Reach out to us and we’ll discuss your needs and figure out a plan that works your you.