Counselor Spotlight: Brynn
Brynn Gutelius, LAC discusses time spent at the beach, counseling through life transitions, and Anne of Green Gables.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I love Jesus, I love my family and friends, I love my dog and cats, and I really love sharing life with people. Also, I love living in NJ! Jersey gets such a bad rap—how bad can it be with 130 miles of coastline?! My husband and I have raised our girls here; they are 19 and 17 now. As they are growing up and away, I am very thankful for my opportunity at CCCRD to take the time to really pour into others.
What was your journey to becoming a counselor?
I actually started a master’s-level counseling program when I was in my 20s, but then I had our girls and stayed home with them. When my daughters were both in school I returned to work part-time in the social work field. I held a position I liked very much but realized I wanted to go deeper with those I helped. So in my late 30s, I returned to school to get my MS in Counseling. It was an experience I will cherish forever, as I learned so much during that time about God, myself, and others.
What’s your favorite movie?
Anne of Green Gables. It has everything. Humor, lovely landscapes, friendship, and love. Visiting Prince Edward Island is on my bucket list.
What does your ideal day look like?
It would be spent at the beach. Laughing with family and friends, sitting in the warm sand, and being with my girls in the ocean, feeling the waves crash down on us—I love it. Then a date night with my husband, preferably a yummy dinner outside, and then to see a comedian.
Cake or pie?
Our colleague James has been roasted for his disdain for pie. I’m the opposite, I love pie! My mom makes the best and peach pie is my favorite.
What do you do for fun?
Go to the beach! I like being with family and friends, walking our dog along the lake in our neighborhood, and playing cards with my husband when we go out to dinner. With my girls, I love swimming and playing Mario on the Wii.
You mention in your bio that you like to work with people navigating life transitions. What do you enjoy about helping people in this area?
Helping someone not just survive a major life change, but feel strong and able to weather life’s storms brings me a lot of satisfaction and gratitude. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or grieved at certain times in our life, sometimes even abandoned by God. The trick is validating our experience, finding our footing, realizing how we can feel supported, and considering what healthy additions or changes work best in this new season.
Describe your approach to counseling.
My approach to counseling is very person-centered and I pray to bring the gentleness of Jesus to each session. We all have a longing to have someone sit with us and truly hear our hearts’ desires and pain, without judgment and with sincere empathy and curiosity. I love discovering with my clients their natural God-given strengths and abilities, and how they can best move from a state of discomfort or pain to acceptance and even excitement in their life. I find such fulfillment in helping a client feel empowered and more comfortable in their own skin.